Source: New Zealand Labour Party
You’ve probably heard a lot about the COVID-19 vaccine lately – and you might be wondering what the big deal is, or why you should bother getting vaccinated. If that’s the case, here are five reasons to roll up your sleeves.
It’s understandable to be a little anxious about vaccination, but the COVID vaccine is safe, free, and easy to book. It’s the best way to protect yourself and your whānau, as well as our communities, economy, and future.
The list of reasons for getting vaccinated is long – and as diverse as we are. But it’s also pretty simple. Here’s the quick version:
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
By getting vaccinated, you drastically reduce your chance of falling seriously ill or transmitting the virus to others. You also reduce your risk of getting infected in the first place.
Even if you’re fit, young, and healthy, COVID-19 can have a big impact on your health in the short and long term. Getting vaccinated protects your health, so you can keep doing what you love.
Even if you’re not so worried about your own health, it’s likely you want to make sure your friends and whānau are kept safe.
By getting vaccinated, you’ll cut the chance of passing the virus on to your loved ones – some of whom might be more at risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Getting vaccinated helps you stick together, safely.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect everyone in our community – especially those who can’t get vaccinated.
No vaccine provides 100% percent immunity, but they don’t have to: their biggest strength lies in their ability to slow or stop the spread of disease through widespread uptake. If most of us are less likely to catch or carry the virus, it will struggle to spread.
Some people, including the elderly and people with certain health conditions, are more at risk of getting really sick with COVID-19. Others, including children under 12, aren’t currently eligible for the vaccine. By getting vaccinated, you protect those members of your community who can’t be.
The higher our vaccination rates, the fewer restrictions we’ll need. That’s why getting vaccinated helps our local businesses and strengthens our economy.
Our strong health response so far has proven to be the best possible economic response. Getting vaccinated is the next step, and will reduce the likelihood of future lockdowns.
We all have a favourite café, gym, or hairdresser. Getting vaccinated is a way to ensure they can get on with business.
The stronger our immunity as a country, the broader and brighter our possibilities. Reaching high levels of vaccination will allow us to start paving the way toward reconnecting with the world.
To maximise our opportunities and prevent future lockdowns, we need our population to be protected from the virus. The vaccine is our best way of securing that protection.
COVID-19 vaccinations are a reason to be hopeful: they allow us to look ahead and to look outwards.
Whatever your reason, getting vaccinated will mean safer communities, a stronger economy, and wider horizons. It all comes down to vaccination.
Book your vaccine now by visiting bookmyvaccine.nz or by calling 0800 28 29 26.
For more information about COVID-19 and vaccinations, visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
