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Too often we fail to adequately communicate about #vaccines BEFORE misinformation begins to circulate. By then, it's too late!
So, let's discuss answers to some questions that will be on everyone's mind in the first months after #COVID19 #vaccines become available.
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So, let's discuss answers to some questions that will be on everyone's mind in the first months after #COVID19 #vaccines become available.
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Q: “Once I'm vaccinated, my risk of COVID19 will be significantly reduced, right?”
A: Yes! Vaccines are so powerful because they prevent disease in healthy people. COVID19 vaccines will significantly reduce your risk. This is the #1 reason to get vaccinated-to stay healthy. 2/
A: Yes! Vaccines are so powerful because they prevent disease in healthy people. COVID19 vaccines will significantly reduce your risk. This is the #1 reason to get vaccinated-to stay healthy. 2/
Q: "Once I'm vaccinated, I will be completely protected & won't have to worry about COVID19, right?"
A: No. While COVID19 vaccines will only be approved if they significantly reduce COVID19 disease, no vaccine protects 100% of the time, so you will still need to minimize risk.3/
A: No. While COVID19 vaccines will only be approved if they significantly reduce COVID19 disease, no vaccine protects 100% of the time, so you will still need to minimize risk.3/
Q: “If I want to spend time in crowded indoor spaces, I will be fine as long as I’m vaccinated right before, right?”
A: No. First, vaccine-induced immunity takes 2-3 weeks to develop fully after all doses, so need to wear a mask, wash hands & social distance in the meantime. 4/
A: No. First, vaccine-induced immunity takes 2-3 weeks to develop fully after all doses, so need to wear a mask, wash hands & social distance in the meantime. 4/
Q: “So, once I am FULLY vaccinated, I can stop wearing masks, washing hands, & social distancing, right?”
A: No. While COVID19 vaccines can protect against symptomatic disease, protection won't be 100%, so control measures will still be important (masks, hygiene, distancing). 5/
A: No. While COVID19 vaccines can protect against symptomatic disease, protection won't be 100%, so control measures will still be important (masks, hygiene, distancing). 5/
Q: "Once we have a vaccine, we'll reach herd immunity, eliminate COVID19, and everything will return to normal, right?"
A: No. Initially, vaccines will be limited, so herd immunity will build up very slowly. Returning to pre-pandemic activities will not happen overnight. 6/
A: No. Initially, vaccines will be limited, so herd immunity will build up very slowly. Returning to pre-pandemic activities will not happen overnight. 6/
Q: “Once I am fully vaccinated, I won’t be able to pass the virus on to others, so I can stop worrying about that, right?”
A: No. We don’t have enough evidence to declare that vaccinated people cannot transmit the virus, so you should still make every effort to prevent spread.7/
A: No. We don’t have enough evidence to declare that vaccinated people cannot transmit the virus, so you should still make every effort to prevent spread.7/
Q: “These vaccines were rushed, are they safe?”
A: COVID19 vaccines have been tested in clinical trials enrolling tens of thousands of people, just like previously licensed vaccines. The timeline was condensed, but steps were not skipped. Safety monitoring will continue. 8/
A: COVID19 vaccines have been tested in clinical trials enrolling tens of thousands of people, just like previously licensed vaccines. The timeline was condensed, but steps were not skipped. Safety monitoring will continue. 8/
Q: “The vaccine priority groups are unfair, so I can skip the line, right?”
A: No. Vaccinating those at highest risk first protects all of us by reducing the number of cases among those most likely to be infected. As soon as you’re eligible, get vaccinated, but not before. 9/
A: No. Vaccinating those at highest risk first protects all of us by reducing the number of cases among those most likely to be infected. As soon as you’re eligible, get vaccinated, but not before. 9/
Q: “This is a new vaccine and I have a lot of questions, what should I do?”
A: Speak with your health care provider or a public health professional. Seek out information from trusted health authorities in your community and country. Follow all public health recommendations. 10/n
A: Speak with your health care provider or a public health professional. Seek out information from trusted health authorities in your community and country. Follow all public health recommendations. 10/n
Q: "It's really unbelievable that we will soon have vaccines for this new virus, right?"
A: Yes! It is an unbelievable scientific achievement that effective COVID19 vaccines are being developed so quickly. Now comes an even greater challenge: vaccinating billions of people. 11/n
A: Yes! It is an unbelievable scientific achievement that effective COVID19 vaccines are being developed so quickly. Now comes an even greater challenge: vaccinating billions of people. 11/n
Q: "The pandemic has caused so much suffering and I want it to be over, what can I do?"
A: We can all contribute to preventing spread at every opportunity (masks, distancing, minimizing contacts). Step up control efforts now & then get vaccinated as soon as you're eligible. 12/n
A: We can all contribute to preventing spread at every opportunity (masks, distancing, minimizing contacts). Step up control efforts now & then get vaccinated as soon as you're eligible. 12/n
Thanks for making it this far! These are the questions I've been hearing most often, but conversations about vaccines need to evolve as the situation evolves. So, check back in a week or two and I'll add more Q&As. Or post questions you have below and I'll choose a few. 13/end
