There are now three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. It’s natural that many are seeking out which is the “best” vaccine.
The best vaccine truly is the one that you can receive first. If you have the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, take it. Here’s why:
All prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death
All three of these vaccines were 100% effective in clinical trials at preventing death. All are highly effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. Ultimately, these are the most important features of any vaccine. Waiting for a specific vaccine keeps you from protecting yourself against getting severely ill or dying of COVID-19.
All have similar side effects
The most common side effects are injection site pain, fatigue, headache and muscle pain. Some report fevers. It’s reported that younger adults are more likely to experience these. What we know as side effects are actually expected immune responses. They’re a sign your immune system is kicking into gear. They do not signal that the vaccine is unsafe.
All offer a better path to protection than getting infected
COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications. There’s no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. Vaccination provides you protection without having to experience the illness. Every day you wait to get vaccinated puts you at higher risk of getting infected and seriously ill.
Waiting for what you think may be the “best” vaccine isn’t worth the risk you take while waiting. The best vaccine is the one you can get the soonest.
