A doctor talking to a patientA doctor talking to a patient

We understand.
Vaccination is not an easy decision.
But it's easier with reliable information.

We're the American Hospital Association (AHA), a national organization of hospitals, health systems and care providers. We help patients and people understand important health issues, including addressing COVID-19 concerns and questions, together.

You have important concerns. Let's address them.

  • I'm not sure if I still need a COVID vaccine. Aren’t new variants weak? COVID is still a threat and a new, stronger strain may appear. The easiest and safest way to protect yourself against the COVID-19 variants is to get vaccinated and boosted. Many health care facilities still require everyone wear a mask to provide an additional layer of protection against COVID and other viruses.

    Read more from the CDC on Guidance to protect yourself, your family and community.
    cdc.gov

  • I'm pregnant (or want to become pregnant soon). Currently, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccinations cause issues with pregnancy or being able to get pregnant in the future.

    Read more about pregnancy and vaccines.
    mayoclinic.org

  • I've already had COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. The vaccine can protect you from severe illness and death. We don't know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.

    Find out more about reinfection and protection.
    vcuhealth.org

  • I’m not sure if my child or teen should get vaccinated. COVID-19 can make children and teens of any age very sick. Some have even died from the virus. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help protect everyone 6 months and older from COVID-19 and its complications. Vaccinating children and teens can provide greater confidence that childcare, school and other activities can continue as planned. Your pediatrician is the best person to talk to about your questions and concerns.

    Learn more about vaccines for children and teens.
    cdc.gov

  • I'm concerned about long-term side effects. COVID-19 vaccine was created using long-standing vaccine building blocks. The COVID-19 vaccines went through all required stages of approval, and clinicians continue to track any potential side effects. In fact, the COVID-19 vaccines are currently undergoing the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

    Read more about long-term vaccine side effects.
    muhealth.org

  • I'm not sure if the vaccine was made with me in mind. The clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine included a more diverse group of subjects than previous trials for other drugs and vaccines. The population studied closely mirrored ethnic groups in the U.S. population. The trials also studied the vaccine's effect in people with certain chronic conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

    Find out about racial diversity within COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.
    kff.org

  • I feel like the vaccine was rushed to market. The COVID-19 vaccines were created in record time — but this doesn't mean the process was rushed. There are several reasons why companies were able to produce the vaccines faster than normal, including a head start from previous research on other coronaviruses, decades of vaccine research, collaboration within the scientific community and expedited review.

    Read more about the FDA evaluation and approval of COVID-19 vaccines.
    hopkinsmedicine.org

  • I don’t understand why boosters are needed? COVID-19 boosters further enhance protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination. It’s never too late to get the added protection offered by a booster.

    Find out when to get a booster.
    cdc.gov

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This content was funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant number CK20-2003). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this resource do not necessarily represent the policy of CDC or HHS, and should not be considered an endorsement by the Federal Government.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition.