Should I Get the Vaccine?
Protect others! That's the advice of NFL Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden. Getting the vaccine is an easy way to protect yourself and others in your community.
Those who choose to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 may do so because they believe the vaccines are harmful and don't work. However, the vaccines have proven to be safe and effective. Here's more about why vaccination is your best protection against infection:
Reasons to Take the Vaccine
If you are unvaccinated, you are unprotected
Updated vaccines are our best defense against COVID-19.
For the best protection, you must stay up to date with vaccinations as per recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The vaccines work
Vaccines authorized in the United States are effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and limiting the spread of the virus that causes it.
The vaccines are safe—the virus is dangerous
Hundreds of millions of people have gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 under what the CDC says is the most intense safety monitoring in the country’s history.
The vaccines meet the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality, and they continued to be monitored. They are safe for both children and adults.
The risk of getting (and possibly dying from) COVID-19, particularly while unvaccinated, is far greater than the risks associated with the vaccine. Read more about how the vaccines were developed so quickly and safely.
Your vaccination can keep others safe
The more people who choose to get vaccinated, the safer everyone can be. By staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, you are less likely to spread the disease to others.
The vaccine is free and easy to schedule
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available. Finding locations and making appointments is simple, and there are multiple ways to do it.
You can find vaccine locations near you by searching vaccines.gov, texting your zip code to “438829” or calling 1-800-232-0233. You can also find vaccination sites on Maryland.gov or check your local pharmacy’s website for available vaccination appointments. The state's mass vaccination sites, such as the State Center in Baltimore, offer walk-in vaccinations.
The CDC has more information on finding vaccine providers and scheduling appointments.
Updated 5/30/2023
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