Why You Should Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Munson Healthcare takes the safety of any vaccine very seriously. We review the safety evidence for any potential vaccine as well as recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the CDC before offering any vaccine.

We understand that some people may be concerned about the COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials and met the rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization. Millions of people in the United States have now received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.

While these vaccines were developed as quickly as possible through the help of global cooperation and unprecedented public and private funding, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible.

For more information about the safety of the vaccine, visit

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Benefits
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Safety
• Michigan.gov/Coronavirus

I’m fully vaccinated – should I get a booster?

The effects of your original COVID-19 vaccine(s) can lessen over time and may not protect against new strains that develop. A booster dose can help. 

Booster doses are authorized for ages 5 and up, including two new updated boosters formulated to better protect against variants (authorized for ages 12+). 

Can I get a different brand vaccine for my booster shot?

Your booster shot can be any of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

Questions about the COVID-19 booster shot? Talk to your primary care doctor or talk to a live registered Munson Healthcare nurse at 231-935-0951. This free service is available 24 hours a day (no insurance required). 

Learn more about the COVID-19 booster shot in our recent blog post: Should You Get a COVID-19 Booster?

Herd immunity (or community immunity) is accomplished when enough people in a region or population become immune to COVID-19 either from infection and recovery or through vaccination. Once herd immunity is achieved, community spread drops significantly and the virus naturally dies out. Click here to learn more about herd immunity or watch the video below.

What are personal protective antibodies?

Personal protective antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to fight viral infections like COVID-19. Antibodies can take days or weeks to develop in the body following exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. Vaccines are a much safer and more controlled way to develop personal protective antibodies.

Will a vaccine prevent me from getting sick with COVID-19?

COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response in your body without having to experience sickness. 

It usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection

It is possible for fully vaccinated people to still get infected. These cases are called vaccine breakthrough infections. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick and experiencing severe symptoms.

The risks associated with contracting COVID-19 may be more severe for people who are immunocompromised. Therefore, individuals who are immunocompromised or have comorbidities are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You should speak to your family doctor to understand how the vaccine may affect your current treatment plan.

I’ve already had COVID-19. Do I really need to get the vaccine?

Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the possibility of re-infection, you may receive a COVID-19 vaccine at any time as long as you are not acutely ill.

The immunity gained from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long. 

Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are studying. If you have received COVID-19 convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibody treatment, please wait 90 days before requesting a COVID-19 vaccine.

I recently received a vaccine unrelated to COVID-19. Should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. According to the CDC, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine and other types of vaccines without regard to timing. You can even opt to get multiple vaccines at the same appointment.

Will the flu vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19?

No, but it can prevent you from getting the flu at the same time as COVID-19. Preventing both illnesses at once by getting your flu shot could prevent severe symptoms. The CDC anticipates the likelihood of both the flu and COVID-19 viruses spreading at the same time this winter.

What if I was exposed to a COVID-19-postitive individual but never tested for COVID-19. Should I receive a vaccination?

Yes. Please complete quarantine based on CDC guidelines before you elect to receive the vaccine.