A doctor talking to a patientA doctor talking to a patient

We understand.
Vaccination is not an easy decision.
But it's easier with reliable information.

We're the American Hospital Association (AHA), a national organization of hospitals, health systems and care providers. We help patients and people understand important health issues, including addressing COVID-19 concerns and questions, together.

You have important concerns. Let's address them.

  • I'm not sure I know what is the best protection against new COVID variants? The easiest and safest way to protect yourself against the COVID-19 variants is to get vaccinated and boosted. Masks offer additional protection against all variants. The CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

    Read more from the CDC on Guidance to protect yourself, your family and community.
    cdc.gov

  • Do I still have to wear a mask, even when it is not required by a business? Masking remains a strong defense against the COVID and the variants. Please note that mask mandates continue to be in full effect for hospitals and other health care settings, even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID.

    Read more about face coverings. cdc.gov

  • I'm pregnant (or want to become pregnant soon). Currently, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccinations cause issues with pregnancy or being able to get pregnant in the future.

    Read more about pregnancy and vaccines.
    mayoclinic.org

  • I've already had COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. The vaccine can protect you from severe illness and death. We don't know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.

    Find out more about COVID-19 antibodies.
    vcuhealth.org

  • I’m not sure if my child or teen should get vaccinated. COVID-19 can make children and teens of any age very sick. Some have even died from the virus. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help protect everyone 6 months and older from COVID-19 and its complications. Vaccinating children and teens can provide greater confidence that childcare, school and other activities can continue as planned. Your pediatrician is the best person to talk to about your questions and concerns.

    Learn more about vaccines for children and teens.
    cdc.gov

  • I'm concerned about long-term side effects. There are three types of COVID-19 vaccines — mRNA and viral vector vaccines, as well as the more traditional subunit protein vaccine — and medical experts have been studying and working on these types for decades. The COVID-19 vaccine was created using these long-standing vaccine building blocks. The COVID-19 vaccines went through all required stages of approval, and clinicians continue to track any potential side effects. In fact, the COVID-19 vaccines are currently undergoing the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

    Read more about long-term vaccine side effects.
    muhealth.org

  • I'm not sure if the vaccine was researched with me in mind. The clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine included a more diverse group of subjects than previous trials for other drugs and vaccines. The population studied closely mirrored ethnic groups in the U.S. population. The trials also studied the vaccine's effect in people with certain chronic conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

    Find out about racial diversity within COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.
    kff.org

  • I feel like the vaccine was rushed to market. The COVID-19 vaccines were created in record time — but this doesn't mean the process was rushed. There are several reasons why companies were able to produce the vaccines faster than normal, including a head start from previous research on other coronaviruses, decades of vaccine research, collaboration within the scientific community and expedited review.

    Read more about the FDA evaluation and approval of COVID-19 vaccines.
    hopkinsmedicine.org

  • I don’t understand why boosters are needed? COVID-19 boosters further enhance protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination. Everyone 5 years and older should get 1 booster after completing their COVID-19 vaccines and adults 50 years and older should get 2 boosters. Some people 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised – current cancer or organ transplant patients – should also get a second booster. It’s never too late to get the added protection offered by a booster.

    Find out when to get a booster.
    cdc.gov

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This content was funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant number CK20-2003). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this resource do not necessarily represent the policy of CDC or HHS, and should not be considered an endorsement by the Federal Government.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition.