Americans may be concerned about getting vaccinated once a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that while these vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated.

In October, only 56% of Americans said they would try to get a COVID-19 vaccine once one is available, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

The CDC published a summary of the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination:

1. COVID-19 vaccines are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19.

2. Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

3. Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

4. Experts continue to conduct more studies about the effect of a COVID-19 vaccination on severity of illness from COVID-19, as well as its ability to keep people from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Listen to what Dr. Sharon Nachman has to say about the vaccines and studies: 

5. COVID-19 vaccination will be a safer way to help build protection.

6. Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness.

7. COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

8. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention