Why should I have the vaccine? I’ve had Covid why do I need it? I’ve seen some scary stuff on TikTok is the vaccine safe?
There have been so many different new stories about the Covid-19 vaccinations in the media and many rumours emerging on social media. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is actually true and it may understandably cause apprehension about having the Covid-19 vaccination.
Here we try to help if you have concerns with the Covid-19 vaccinations by answering some of the questions you may have and allowing you to be more informed in your decision-making.
Why is it important that everyone gets vaccinated?
“Creating herd immunity, a phrase you have probably heard a lot lately, is achieved when most of the population is vaccinated against a particular disease. The percentage of people who need to be immune in order to achieve herd immunity varies with each disease. For example, herd immunity against measles requires about 95% of a population to be vaccinated. The remaining 5% will be protected by the fact that measles will not spread among those who are vaccinated.” (Keep London Safe Campaign)
The diagram shows how herd immunity can be created when most of the population is vaccinated.
So I can just wait till everyone else is vaccinated?
No, because “the proportion of the population that must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to achieve herd immunity is not known. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccination is the best defence against serious infections.” Covid vaccines can stop people getting very sick and save lives.
“One of the features of Covid-19 is that many people show no symptoms when infected. This makes it more difficult to eradicate as it is so hard to identify and isolate cases.
Taking the vaccine not only protects individuals against the disease but reduces the rate of transmission. However it should be noted that vaccinated individuals may still transmit the infection to those who haven’t been vaccinated.
Herd immunity does NOT mean everyone needs to have been infected with the disease. Contrary to popular opinion, most people have not been infected (the WHO estimate this figure as 90% of the population). Letting Covid-19 spread through populations, of any age or health status will lead to unnecessary infections, suffering and death.” (Source Keep London Safe Campaign)
Acknowledgements and Sources
- Keep London Safe Campaign – Hackney Council and Hackney Education
- Royal Borough of Greenwich and NHS South East London
- University of East London
- Information relating to vaccine trials
- BBC News
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The articles below provide additional information, and you can also read our FAQs.
