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If I’m young and healthy, why do I need the COVID vaccine?

Health care workers answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

 

If I’m young and healthy, why do I need the COVID vaccine? Pamela Simms-Mackey, MD

 

So, a couple of reasons. So, one doesn’t mean you won’t get sick. So, younger people can get sick, younger people can have what we call morbidity or lasting illness. They may not die from it, but they may have ongoing lung problems or neurologic problems or other things like that. But I think the other thing that we think about in pediatric is what is your risk in your community? So, you know, I just told you, we have a bunch of children who cannot get the vaccine.

But if you are, let’s say 18 year old who gets COVID infection and you give it to a five year old and then they go visit grandma who’s 80 years old. Now you’ve infected someone who may die from it.

This information is shared for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at time of filming. Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions. Click here for vaccine FAQs from the CDC.

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