
Vaccine Effectiveness
- How do the COVID-19 vaccines protect me?
- What are the advantages of getting vaccinated?
- How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?
- How do doctors know the vaccines work?
- If the vaccines are so effective, why do some people who are vaccinated still get COVID-19?
- If the vaccines work, why should I get a booster?
- Do I need a booster shot? Does it have to be the same vaccine I got previously?
- How effective are vaccine booster shots?
- How effective is the Pfizer vaccine?
- How effective is the Moderna vaccine?
Myth
Breakthrough cases prove that even if I get the vaccine, I might still get COVID-19. So why bother?
Fact
COVID vaccines have been shown to be very powerful in preventing more severe disease and the need for hospitalization. Breakthroughs occur at a much, much lower rate for those who have been vaccinated versus those who are unvaccinated.
The breakthroughs have been occurring more frequently with the newer variants because of the high level of infectiousness of these variants. But people having breakthroughs generally have a much more mild infection — more like a common cold or upper respiratory infection. The vaccines prevent severe disease and complications and allow people to return to their healthy selves more quickly.
Boston University: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/
myths-vs-facts-covid-19-vaccine/

