What Older Adults Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
There鈥檚 no question regarding the risk to older adults who contract the virus that causes COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention听(颁顿颁)听is clear:听older adults听who contract it听补谤别听more likely to face听both hospitalization and death, both prospects听that听increases with age.听听
With听听reported in the United States having听been adults 65 years and older, the CDC has reason for concern, and has issue vaccine guidelines accordingly:听older adults are among the first groups听to receive the COVID-19 vaccines recently听听under the Food and Drug Administration鈥檚 Emergency Use Authorization Act.听Those 65 years of age and older were included in the 1b vaccination eligible group.听
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
The New York State Department of Health听(NYSDOH)听emphasizes the safety of the available COVID-19 vaccines鈥攂oth found to be more than 94 percent effective at protecting people from COVID-19.听
鈥淪cientists built off decades of research for other vaccines when developing the COVID-19 vaccines,鈥听the听. 鈥淭he vaccines went through large clinical studies involving tens of thousands of people of different ages, races and ethnicities.听You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccines.鈥听听
Possible Vaccine Side Effects
Some patients have reported experiencing side effects from the vaccines, which can range from arm soreness, headache, and body aches, to tiredness and fever.听听
鈥淪ide effects usually go away within two to three days, are more common after the second shot and are less common in older adults,鈥 the NYSDOH adds, and recommends that听patients听who experience lasting or worsening听side effects call a physician.听
The NYSDOH also emphasizes the importance of听eligible听older adults getting flu shots in addition to the COVID-19 (at least 14 days apart).听听
People who receive the COVID-19 vaccine鈥攅ven those who have received both shots鈥攁re urged to continue wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands thoroughly to听help slow the spread of the virus.
五月天视频, in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, is currently able to vaccinate those eligible individuals 65 and over who live in the five boroughs of New York City. Vaccination appointments are required.听For more details about eligibility and scheduling availability please visit听. To ensure your Connect account is active, please听visit here to login or sign up today.听