By Michelle Pemberton
Planning & Grants Specialist 

Weighing the benefits and risks of vaccination

 


Are you thinking about getting a COVID-19 vaccination? In making your decision, it is important to gather all of the information needed and weigh the benefits versus the risks.

We currently have three COVID-19 vaccines that have all gone through the same trials as other vaccines and are approved for use by the FDA through an Emergency Use Authorization. As it does with all vaccines, the FDA continues to monitor these vaccines ongoing and if concerns arise, they take steps to assess the continued safety of the vaccines. An example of this is the current pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine while the CDC and FDA thoroughly investigate reports of blood clots in six individuals. An informed decision should be reached within the next few days on what the United States will do regarding the vaccine which could range from resuming its use fully, limiting its use to specific populations or suspending its use. Most individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine have experienced common reactions that are normal for many vaccines including low grade fever, chills and body aches. In Colorado, out of over 3.2 million doses administered so far, fewer than 25 people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to any of the COVID- 19 vaccines.

At the same time, there are risks if you contract COVID-19. Individuals who have had COVID-19 have experienced a wide range of symptoms. Some have had mild or no symptoms while others have experienced long lasting chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. Some individuals have also experienced memory issues. People experiencing the long lasting issues may or may not have been hospitalized.

Since March, 2020 there have been 8,287 known cases of COVID-19 in the six county region served by NCHD. As of April 14, 19,322 residents have been immunized with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 14,021 residents are fully immunized. Getting vaccinated benefits yourself as well as protects those you love. In fact, the entire community benefits.

The goal has been to create herd immunity which results in the entire community being protected. It occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infectious disease, whether through vaccination or previous infections. The threshold to achieve herd immunity for different infectious diseases varies and the exact percentage for COVID-19 is still not known but experts estimate that at least 60 percent of the population needs to be immune. The total population of the six northeast Counties of Colorado is 72,210 and 60 percent would be 43,326 residents. Currently, the total number of residents known to have been infected with COVID-19 plus the total number fully immunized, northeast Colorado has an estimated 22,308 residents that have achieved immunity to COVID-19.

It is known that not everyone will be able to get vaccinated due to special health conditions that prevent them from receiving the vaccine, but there are many more that are eligible to get vaccinated. Of those, some may still be waiting for a variety of reasons. If you are considering getting the vaccine, there are several benefits to the COVID-19 vaccinated including immunity and protection for those you love.

 

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