Waukesha County Public Health encourages everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because it is the safest way to build immunity in the community. Everyone 5 and older is currently eligible.
Getting Vaccinated is Safer Than Getting COVID-19
COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you long-term. The risk of lacking protection against COVID-19 and developing severe disease far exceeds those posed by the vaccine itself.
Even young, healthy people with mild cases can experience symptoms for months. Many people who’ve had COVID-19 report long-term side effects that impact their daily life, including permanent lung damage and loss of taste.
COVID-19 Vaccines are Safe and Effective
Millions of Americans have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. A safety board approved every study, and the FDA carefully reviewed the data from every phase of every vaccine trial.
- The vaccines are up to 95% effective, more than the annual flu shot, which is 40% to 60% effective.
- Most doctors have chosen to be vaccinated and recommend that their patients are, too.
- Developers cut red tape, not safety measures. The speed of the vaccines’ development was due to years of advance work and the reduction of administrative bureaucracy.
- The vaccine provides protection against known variants, including the Delta variant.
How Vaccinated COVID-19 Cases Compare to Unvaccinated COVID-19 Cases
Although a vaccinated person can still get the virus, vaccinated people are highly protected from severe illness, hospitalization and death. If you do get sick, your symptoms will be milder. In fact, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services tracks COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths among fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated people.
Click here to see the differences in Wisconsin.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children 5 to 11
It is recommended that everyone 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. Age-appropriate doses of Pfizer are now available for everyone 5 and older.
Children ages 5 to 11 are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It is the first and only vaccine available for children, and they will receive a smaller dose than those 12 and older. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for everyone 18 and older.
You can get your child vaccinated through a local healthcare provider, pharmacy, or community vaccination clinic free of charge, regardless of your immigration or health insurance status.
For added convenience and protection, if your child has not yet received their flu shot, they can receive both at the same time. With the additional risk of COVID-19 in our community, it's more important than ever to keep your child safe as possible and avoid any hospital stays by getting a flu vaccination.
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