COVID-19 Vaccine: Take a Step toward Normal

It's hard sometimes to remember the time before COVID-19, but we all have a chance now to get closer to that lost sense of normal life: maybe it's a casual dinner with friends, hugging grandma, or just going out to the store without a second thought. By now, you probably know someone that’s taken that next step toward normal by getting one of the vaccines. If you're unsure about taking that step, ask them why they did it, but also consider these facts: 

  • All three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are very effective at preventing life-threatening illness from the virus.
  • Tens of thousands of people safely got the vaccine during clinical trials and hundreds of millions have received it across the United States and worldwide.
  • The most common side effects are pain in the arm where you got the shot, feeling tired, headache, body aches, chills, and fever, lasting one or two days. 
Going into the spring, a third of Pinellas County residents had already received the vaccine. Until more people get protected and the virus stops spreading, we all need to keep taking some basic precautions like wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding crowds. Together, though, we can beat this virus and get back to normal sooner than later. 

3 Easy Ways to Share Your Story & Boost Vaccine Confidence in Our Community
  • Post it on social media: Update your Facebook profile picture with a frame to tell your friends – there are plenty to choose from, including in Spanish. In your post, say a few words about why it’s important to you. You could also take a selfie to share your story (Please do not post your vaccine card!)
  • #Tag so we can share with the broader community: #VaccinatePinellas #VaccinateLargo
  • Share the facts: If you’d like to respond to members of your community with questions, these pages offer accurate, up-to-date information about vaccine safety and efficacy. Otherwise, you can share them on your social media page or email it to your friends along with your story:
  • Tell them where to get it: as the vaccine becomes more available, more health agencies and pharmacies are offering it to the public. You can find all the latest sources here: Covid19.PinellasCounty.org/vaccines
Note: Please don’t show your vaccine card online as it contains personal info you may not want to put out to the world. Want to show off your vaccine status? Try a bare-arm selfie with your new band aid.

The above article was shared by Pinellas County Government.