Covid-19 has impacted our activities, our communities, and nearly every aspect of our lives for just over one year. But today, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel with a safe and effective tool now available: the vaccine.
Because of the COVID-19 vaccines, I believe we will begin to gather together again very soon, assuming we all do our part and accept the vaccine.
For this to work, it will take everyone. This will take Community Action.
Over the past year, volunteers from across the world stepped up to test the vaccine for its safety and effectiveness. We owe a debt of thanks to those volunteers; it is because of them—and the decades of science before them—that we know these vaccines are safe.
All Ohioans over the age of 16 years are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. I received mine last month, as have many of my family, friends, and colleagues. We chose to do this because we believe in the science, we believe in the future, and we believe it is our duty to protect each other when we are vaccinated.
Here are some things you should know about the COVID-19 vaccine:
- All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are very effective at preventing the disease.
- The most common side effects are pain in the arm where you got the shot, feeling tired, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
- Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available—wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing your hands frequently, and getting vaccinated.
We want everyone in our community to be safe, get back to gathering safely with our families and friends, shake hands with our neighbors, and help our communities as our network has for over 55 years. We can do this. We need to lead.
To schedule your vaccine, visit www.gettheshot.ohio.gov today.
Sincerely,
Phil
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit CDC’s FAQs web page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.