Patient Relations
Sight-saving surgery
How eye surgery at JHAH has helped save the sight of three local residents ›
Vaccines are successful public health measures, which greatly reduce infectious diseases, and are proven to be safe and effective. They have helped protect the world from devastating diseases such as polio, measles, influenza, tetanus, and hepatitis.
Yet, even with their successful history, trust in the COVID-19 vaccination process is still fragile. Misinformation, conspiracy theories, and rumors all contribute to an unnecessary fear of and doubt in even the most educated populations across the globe, resulting in “vaccine hesitancy.” This prolongs the spread of infectious disease through delays in people taking the vaccine.
Amid the current global pandemic, the race to population immunity is a worldwide challenge that can only be achieved by everyone taking the vaccine.
Focusing on the rate of effectiveness for each COVID-19 vaccine can distract us from the proven fact that all the vaccines are 100% effective in stopping deaths and greatly reduced hospitalizations during vaccine trials.
No deaths have been reported as a result of taking any of the vaccines.
“Don’t wait for the next best thing,” Dr. Jaffar Al-Tawfiq, the director of Infection Control at JHAH and a leading international COVID-19 expert, advised, “Take the COVID-19 vaccine that is available, as the approved COVID-19 vaccines can stop hospitalization and death.”
Being vaccinated does not necessarily make you immune from getting infected by SARS-CoV-2, but if you are infected and vaccinated, the inoculation will stop COVID-19 from progressing to serious illness and hospitalization.
Waiting until other people around you get vaccinated, or waiting for what you think is the “right” type of vaccine can be detrimental. With every day that passes without being vaccinated, you are increasing your risk of being exposed to SARS-CoV-2, becoming infected, and assisting in the spread of the virus throughout your community.
The finish line to this pandemic is near, and only you can help us achieve population immunity with your support and active participation by taking the COVID-19 vaccine, encouraging your loved ones to do the same, and continuing to abide by JHAH’s 3 Ws: wash or sanitize your hands, wear a mask, and watch your distance.
Register for the COVID-19 vaccine and get vaccinated as soon as possible, protecting yourself and your loved ones from spreading the virus.