Vaccine Info
Curious about the COVID-19 vaccine?
Right now, the CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 12 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster shot
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines:
If you are 12 or older and thinking about getting the vaccine or are not yet old enough to get it but want to learn more you can visit the following:
- COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
- Questions and Answers about COVID-19 Vaccines | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- The effects of virus variants on COVID-19 vaccines | World Health Organization
- Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC
- If you’d like to read more about the experience of teenagers who have received the vaccine, you can visit one fo the following links:
If you need access to information with assistive technology, ASL, or in easy to read wording, check out these resources from Georgia Tech’s Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation:
- Information about vaccines for people using screen readers or other assistive technology
- COVID-19 ASL Resources
- Easy to Read Information on Vaccines, Testing, Prevention, and School Reopening
If you still have some hesitancy, check out these resources:
- What To Say To People Hesitant About The Coronavirus Vaccine: Life Kit | NPR
- NPR podcast/interview on talking to people who are hesitant towards getting the COVID vaccine
- The COVID-19 vaccine: Why some people of color hesitate | Boston Children’s Hospital
- Discusses medical institution’s violation of trust in Black and Brown communities and addresses misconceptions and myths regarding the COVID-19 vaccines
- Vaccines, Trust, and the Global Pandemic with Dr. Krishna Upadhya | The BGG Podcast
- Check out a recent episode of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics discussing the COVID vaccine and health equity with Adolescent Medicine doctor Krishna Upadhya
If you’re looking for podcasts on the science of the COVID-19 vaccine to listen to instead articles, check these out:
- An Inside Look at the COVID-19 Vaccine | University of Michigan School of Public Health
- A 12-minute podcast on how vaccines are developed
- Explaining The Science Behind An mRNA Vaccine For COVID-19 | NPR
- A 34-minute podcast with virologist and Pfizer trial participant explaining science behind mRNA COVID vaccine
Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Staying up to date with COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
- CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines.
- Guidance on Travel for Fully Vaccinated People
- What Can I Do Once I’m Fully Vaccinated?
- Cheat sheet: CDC guidelines on what you can and can’t do after being fully vaccinated
Addressing medical racism: Is the vaccine safe for Black and Brown communities?
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Brown Americans. Because of a long history of racism in medicine and medical research, minority communities are understandably hesitant to get the vaccine. It is always a good idea to talk to a trusted, supportive medical provider or other adult to make the best decision for you. If you are interested in learning more about COVID vaccine hesitancy in communities of color, you can explore the following articles:
Dr. South talks about initial skepticism towards the research, her reasons for getting the vaccine, and her experience with side effects
Discusses medical institution’s violation of trust in Black and Brown communities and addresses misconceptions and myths regarding the COVID-19 vaccines
Addresses the safety of vaccines, participant diversity in clinical trials, and why people of color should get vaccinated as soon as possible
If podcasts are more your thing, check out a recent episode of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics discussing the COVID vaccine and health equity with Adolescent Medicine doctor Krishna Upadhya