COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and even dying — especially people who are boosted. 

As with other diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with recommended vaccines.

Do I need a booster?

In addition to your primary series of COVID-19 vaccination shots, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a booster for everyone ages 12 years and older. 

So if it’s been five months since your last vaccination, it might be time to schedule for your booster shot. The CDC publishes this tool to help you find a vaccination site near you.
 

How to best protect yourself and your community

There are many reasons to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including protecting your friends, family and community. “Do it for your neighbors, do it for the rest of humanity, do it from a selfless perspective so we can get through this. It’s the only way out,” said Dr. Jim Comes, Emergency Medicine, Community Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Comes explains how vaccines work inside our bodies to protect us from disease and why it’s beneficial, even if you contract COVID-19, to have been vaccinated.

See this story on MedWatch Today