Everyone has their own reasons for choosing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
For Matt Scott, a Paralympian athlete with Spina Bifida, he chose to get vaccinated because he wanted to feel like he had a suit of armor that would protect him and his family from getting sick.
For others with Spina Bifida, we found the following top five reasons why they chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Spina Bifida Association Survey.
- Concerns about getting COVID-19
Nobody wants to get COVID-19. Those who have had it report that it is an awful experience they wouldn’t wish on anyone else. Symptoms are wide ranging and can include the loss of taste/smell to difficulty breathing to body aches, and reports show that some symptoms won’t go away.
No vaccine is 100% effective against a disease. The COVID-19 vaccine will greatly decrease the likelihood that a person will catch it. The vaccine also significantly reduces your chance of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.
- Don’t want to give COVID-19 to family members
It’s natural to want to protect your loved ones, and that’s exactly what many people with Spina Bifida are doing. Vaccinations reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to family members and loved ones.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have proven to be over 94% effective in protecting people from COVID-19.
- Prevent spreading to others in the community
A safe community starts at the individual level. The Mayo Clinic states that the more vaccinated individuals there are in a community, the less likely it is for COVID-19 to spread. That’s why many people with Spina Bifida have chosen to get the vaccine; to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others in the community. This helps allow community members to get back to normal by going out and seeing friends, attending events, and eating at restaurants.
- A doctor or healthcare provider recommended they get the COVID-19 vaccine
When it comes to infectious diseases, doctors and healthcare providers know best. Based on a person’s health and medical history, a healthcare provider can best provide guidance as to whether or not the patient should get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to our survey, many people with Spina Bifida have listened to their doctor’s advice to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Those living with Spina Bifida are in a high-risk group
Any person can get sick or be hospitalized from COVID-19, but there are some people who are at higher risk of serious symptoms. These include older adults, those with lung problems, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and more. Some with Spina Bifida fall into these high-risk groups, so individuals from the Spina Bifida Association Survey chose to get vaccinated to better protect themselves from the virus.
If you or someone you know is considering getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please speak with your healthcare provider.
