Which Vaccine is Best for You?

As you may have heard by now, all people over the age of 16 have the permission to go ahead and receive their COVID-19 Vaccination. But which one is right for you? There are currently 3 different vaccines that have been authorized for use in the United States; The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Currently the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the most effective at combating the virus, at roughly 95% effective. However they do require a second follow-up dose, roughly 3-4 weeks after the first one. There is the potential for some mild side effects that last for roughly 1-3 days, after receiving the vaccine. Headaches, fatigue, and muscle/joint pain, are among the common side effects.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccination is less effective, at roughly 72% here in the U.S. However it only requires a single shot, so it is much more appealing for those with more limited access to health care or more prone to adverse reactions from receiving an injection. Be aware, that there appears to be a rare side effect, roughly 7 in 1,000,00, of blood clots in women aged 18-49. So if that statistic concerns you, or you have had issues with blood clots in the past, you should probably check in with a health care professional to see which vaccine is right for you.

Currently, the vaccines have only been approved of for adults, over the age of 18, except for the Pfizer one, which has been approved of for those aged 16+.

So, which vaccine is best for you? Frankly, it’s a personal decision. Many of our residents and staff have received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. What we believe is, the more people that get vaccinated, the sooner everyone can get back to normal. We want everyone to be safe from this virus, especially among our residents who are at a high risk. So, take care, and if you haven’t already, think about getting the vaccine for yourself and your love ones.