#Vaccines work and are safe. [They work really well](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lsuhzw/singledose_bnt162b2_vaccine_protects_against/), and are really [safe](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/kcdn0b/natural_immunity_from_covid_is_not_safer_than_a/). Check out this [great article about how unlikely it is for "long term" side effects of the vaccines to show up months or years later.](https://www.chop.edu/news/long-term-side-effects-covid-19-vaccine) The J&J vaccine manufacturing mixup [isn't a problem.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/mhhf8x/johnson_johnson_statement_on_us_covid19_vaccine/) There are no tainted or flawed doses from J&J being distributed, all the doses of J&J in the US and Europe thus far have come from a different manufacturer in the Netherlands and are both safe and effective. Vaccines given EUA are safe even if you hear about [clotting](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/mh39g4/blood_clots_and_the_az_vaccine_revisited/) or [growing a third arm.](https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2020/12/04/get-ready-for-false-side-effects) That the vaccine manufacturers are not liable (you can't sue them, etc.) if you die from their Covid vaccine is a non sequitur. This is [true of most vaccines,](https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation/index.html) and really, most medical practices/drugs/etc. They have to warn you about potential risks, \[which they do a good job of, even though the risks are miniscule.\] Note that this would also be the case (you can't sue them if it hurts you) for any future "cures", therapeutics, or other treatments for the disease. The vaccine isn't killing thousands of people. You heard wrong. Great discussion [here.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/oc45h0/scientists_quit_journal_board_protesting_grossly/) Clotting is rare from the vaccines and common in Covid; clotting as a vaccine side effect is not nearly as common as it seems from media reports, and is mostly in younger people. [The same is true of myocarditis, even in the most at risk groups.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/osrftc/risk_of_myocarditis_from_covid19_infection_in/) Should we be excited about a vaccine [that's not 90%+ effective?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/lv3h8e/daily_discussion_thread_march_01_2021/gpbwgkf/) Excellent question! [Absolutely, yes.](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/l7mzvn/daily_discussion_thread_january_29_2021/gl8iyj5/) Video version of this discussion [here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3odScka55A) There’s no such thing as vaccine side effects that take [months or years before they start to show up.](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/k96ng0/how_is_it_possible_to_create_a_safe_and_effective/gfldup9/) If there [is](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/lxfna2/daily_discussion_thread_march_04_2021/gpoqzl6/) a side effect, [it usually shows up right away.](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0615/p786.html) Thousands of phase 2 trial participants have had the vaccine for over 12 months, and there are [no worrying, lingering, or delayed side effects.](https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/featured-topic/covid-19-vaccine-myths-debunked) Immunity from infection lasts [*at least 8 months*](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/koxkm1/sarscov2_infection_induces_longlived_bone_marrow/), though [probably a lot longer.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/klpvp7/sarscov2specific_t_cell_memory_is_longlasting_in/) Again, [*at least* 8 months,](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/ldj06f/immunological_memory_to_sarscov2_assessed_for_up/) though non-antibody immunity may be most important. It's too soon to say "lifelong" but [that is a possibility.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/l4nkco/the_immune_system_mounts_a_lasting_defense_after/) Immunity from the vaccine [lasts *at least 6 months*,](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/l9nfu8/stable_neutralizing_antibody_levels_six_months/) probably a lot, [lot longer,](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/k6a6pq/durability_of_responses_after_sarscov2_mrna1273/) probably many years. It's looking like it'll be permanent or [semi-permanent in a good portion](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/m1xbz4/sarscov2_mrna_vaccines_induce_a_robust_germinal/) of the population. Vaccine induced immunity may be [comparable to](https://www.verywellhealth.com/antibodies-from-vaccines-and-from-natural-infection-5092564), or [better than](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/l5whhu/increased_resistance_of_sarscov2_variants_b1351/), or a [LOT better than](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/m8m23c/neutralizing_antibodies_against_sarscov2_variants/), immunity from a previous infection. Especially to [Alpha/Beta.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lgxpre/vaccineinduced_immunity_provides_more_robust/) Natual immunity from clearing an infection is highly protective of future infections, but you have to risk the disease in order to get it. The OG SARS virus (SARS-CoV-1) from 2003 gave detectable immunity [both 6](https://www.jimmunol.org/content/186/12/7264) and [12 years later.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/kvbz9y/weekly_question_thread/gizs32j/) Vaccination and previous infection [reduce viral load, which reduces spread](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2On6TTGdixc#t=7m59s). Updated info [here.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/ocygyp/vast_majority_of_breakthrough_infections_in/) [This](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lbrb9m/oxford_astrazeneca_data_again/) article does a good job of explaining the likelihood of vaccines *at least* reducing spread. [This comment](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/lf744r/daily_discussion_thread_february_08_2021/gml0gyi/) may help too. Data from [Scotland](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/m3tx1n/covid19_vaccine_linked_to_a_reduction_in/). ["Moderna vaccine blocks >90% (87-93%) of infections & 91% (89-94%) of transmission."](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/lfxpir/daily_discussion_thread_february_09_2021/gmqfk4q/) If you do get a breakthrough infection after vaccination, [it's *very* likely to be very mild.](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oouoxm/postvaccination_symptomatic_sarscov2_infections/) This [suggests](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lfnipv/initial_real_world_evidence_for_lower_viral_load/) a great reduction in ability to spread the virus. [Maybe even with just one dose!](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2036242) You should [get both doses though.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/m2mtnv/immune_response_to_sarscov2_variants_of_concern/) Reinfections are rare, some studies show [less than 1 in 1,000](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/kyj0bx/sarscov2_reinfection_in_a_cohort_of_43000/) (maybe in the 1 in 10,000 range, read the study, it's awesome). Reinfections tend to be much milder than previous infections, even by variants. Check the [comments here](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lm0mc2/prior_covid19_significantly_reduces_the_risk_of/) for some great discussion regarding reinfection. [Delayed second doses are fine.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/layx6g/single_dose_administration_and_the_influence_of/) At least with [ChAdOx1](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/lbrb9m/oxford_astrazeneca_data_again/), though there is [evidence](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/opwszj/sustained_t_cell_immunity_protection_and_boosting/) that suggests that longer is better (Pfizer). The problem is that you have to wait longer for the second dose, and therefore, full protection. [CDC](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/lbiqne/daily_discussion_thread_february_03_2021/glvp1nl) used to say that there is no maximum interval between doses, but has recently changed (but may be extended again in the future). [Pfizer says not more than 6 weeks](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/liakcb/covid19_vaccine_doses_shouldnt_be_more_than_six/). Did you accidentally get mixed doses? [No harm done.](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html) (Lots of information here, remember these are *recommendations* for docs.) Even if your antibodies fade over time, [you still have some immunity.](https://old.reddit.com/r/COVID19/comments/npeymo/sarscov2specific_memory_b_cells_can_persist_in/) With other vaccines for other diseases, your antibodies fade, but you retain both T-cells and B-cells, which allow you to mount an effective immune response within days. Vaccines[ likely prevent long Covid.](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/can-vaccinated-people-get-long-covid-doctors-say-risk-very-n1273970) [Long Covid sucks,](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/13/delta-surge-could-leave-hundreds-of-thousands-with-long-covid) a lot. Don't get it, get vaccinated instead. ------------- The vaccines are FREE in the US. FREE FREE, not like "Copay free", like frickin FREE. You don't need insurance. Is there something stopping you from getting one today? Talk to me about it, we'll get it worked out. If your doctor offers you the vaccine, take it, right away. It *will be absolutely free*. If you get a bill for the vaccine, call the cops, [it's *ILLEGAL* to charge you for the vaccine.](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/nvzofq/government_warns_doctors_and_insurers_dont_bill/) ------------- [Get the vaccine](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/op8tws/alabama_doctor_patients_beg_me_for_the_vaccine/). You don't want to [regret not getting it.](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oaitfz/covid_vaccine_refuser_regrets_turning_down_jab/) A special thank you to the mods, who have been absolutely wonderful. [Peanut Butter.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jQfNzk_CFk&t=2553s) More link-filled comments of mine, these should be really useful: [Pregnancy and Fertility](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oq2vtx/vaccines_work_and_are_safe/h6qvwri/) [Variants (Delta)](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oe1quy/daily_discussion_thread_july_05_2021/h457l27/) [Vaccine > Virus](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oe1quy/daily_discussion_thread_july_05_2021/h459wsh/) [Got J&J? It's fine. Mixing doses? Great! Also, Boosters?](https://old.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/oe1quy/daily_discussion_thread_july_05_2021/h4585kr/)