Why Now is the Right Time for Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Don’t ‘wait and see’… get vaccinated ASAP!
Washington State Department of HealthFollow
May 1 · 4 min read
The COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone over 16 who lives or works in Washington. But now that you’re eligible, should you rush to get one? We chatted with Danielle Koenig, Health Promotion Supervisor and immunization education expert for The Washington State Department of Health, to learn why you should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Protect Yourself, Protect Others
Maybe you heard about people taking a “wait and see” approach for the vaccine. Koenig urges against this.
“There are no benefits to waiting to get the vaccine,” said Koenig. “The sooner you get the vaccine, the sooner you and others are protected from the disease.
“The reality is that you can’t be certain of your risk. Even young and healthy people can get sick and die from diseases like COVID-19,” said Koenig. “You might not be afraid for yourself, but you can get sick and pass the virus onto others who can’t fight it off as well.”
Medical experts estimate that between 70–90 percent of the population will need to be vaccinated to create “herd immunity,” which significantly lessens the threat of the virus. People who wait to get the vaccine increase their risk of catching COVID-19 and spreading the virus.
“But what if someone needs the vaccine more than I do?” This is a common reason some people may wait to get the vaccine. At this point, millions of Americans have been vaccinated, and everyone who’s at high-risk has already had their opportunities to get the vaccine.
“It’s great when people think of their community’s needs and it’s true that some people are more at risk, but that’s why we rolled out the vaccine in phases so that the most vulnerable populations had a chance to get vaccinated first,” said Koenig.
Koenig suggests that people use the opportunity to vaccinate themselves as a way to encourage others to get vaccinated also.
“If there’s someone in your life who’s at high risk and they haven’t gotten the vaccine yet, this is a perfect time to lead by example,” said Koenig.
She urges people to make “buddy” appointments (getting the vaccine at the same time), and to schedule something fun to do together afterward.
Scheduling an Appointment is Easy
Some people may wait to get the vaccine because they think it’s a hassle to schedule. And while Koenig admits this has been an issue in the past, there are many more vaccine doses available and at more accessible locations.
If you work full time, you can schedule your vaccination for the evening or on the weekend. Some employers may even give you paid time-off to get vaccinated. There is plenty of vaccine supply, so Koenig suggests making an appointment as soon as possible.
To schedule your COVID-19 vaccination, visit Vaccine Locator, which allows you to search for available appointments by zip code. You can also call 1–800–525–0127, then press #. The vaccine is available at no-cost to everyone who’s eligible, whether you have health insurance or not.
Misinformation Leads to Apathy
Much of the hesitation and skepticism around vaccines comes from misinformation. Some people are wary of vaccine side effects, while others may question how quickly the vaccine was developed. Koenig helps put this into context.
“Scientists have long been working on vaccines for other Coronaviruses, so the technology is not new,” she explained. “We are confident about the safety and effectiveness of these [COVID-19] vaccines, which have been proven through the millions of doses already given, with very few serious reactions.”
Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine can spread fast online. If you have a doubt about something you’re seeing, look to a reputable source of fact-based information, like your health care provider, local health department or the CDC.
More information
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Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to everyone 16 and older. For more information about the vaccine, visit CovidVaccineWA.org and use the vaccine locator tool to find an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.