While COVID-19 is still in its peak stage, many believe receiving the vaccine will make them completely immune to the virus.

This is a huge misconception that has caused the virus to spread even more, creating larger numbers of positive COVID-19 cases every day. Receiving the vaccine will not make you immune to the virus, rather it reduces the chance that you will suffer from any major symptoms and minimizes the chance of spreading it to others. A vaccinated individual may still contract the virus even if the elapsed one month after receiving the last dose of the vaccine takes effect. 

Lambert alumni Cesar Ruano, now student at the University of Georgia, volunteers at a free clinic in Athens, Georgia which serves those who are below the poverty line and do not have insurance or medicare/medicaid.

“There is a lot of discourse about its effectiveness, and many more conspiracies about its origin and its “true” purpose,” Ruano stated. We have surpassed the death toll of the Spanish flu of 1918. It is easy to entertain the idea that the vaccine is more that just a public health measure, but when it is your family member who is on a ventilator, you realize what truly matters. So many people are living in regret for not being vaccinated or for urging their family members to get vaccinated, something they will live with for the rest of their lives. The deaths can stop, along with the regret. Get vaccinated.”

Working in a healthcare setting, one notices how hard it can be for those who suffer from the virus.

“We get people who come in a really bad state and beg to receive the vaccine, but at that point it is already too late,” Cesar expressed.   

Back in February of 2021, when the vaccinations began to roll out to the public, only a specific demographic was permitted to receive the vaccine. Groups that had a high chance of suffering more if infected with the virus such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and first responders were the first to be handed the vaccine. Before mid March of 2021, Only adults 18 and up were allowed to receive the vaccine, then followed anyone 12 and up. As months go by, more demographics of people are permitted and the number of vaccinated individuals increases. Recently, Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine has been approved for kids 5+ and up

Because the vaccine has been open to the public since Februrary, the CDC has reccomended booster shots for certain individuals who have recieved the vaccine months ago. For those who are 18 and up and have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 2 or more months ago, they are eligible to receive a booster shot. For Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot after 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For more information regarding COVID-19 or vaccines available, (booster shots included) visit the CDC website.