Now that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration for people ages 16 and older, there is no reason to delay vaccination. Vaccination is imperative in preventing COVID-19 and a vaccination mandate is necessary in ending the pandemic.
Some of the major reasons people have been avoiding the vaccination call into question the safety of the vaccine. However, the vaccine began development at the start of the pandemic using years of previous vaccine research, and has been thoroughly tested, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Most side effects, including a sore arm, a slight fever or body aches, are mild and temporary, lasting only a few days.
While masks and social distancing can help minimize the spread of the disease, the only way out of this pandemic is through vaccination. The vaccine works with the immune system to develop antibodies to fight against the virus. For those who have already had COVID-19, the vaccine only boosts immunity.
While those who are vaccinated still have a slight chance at getting the virus and spreading it, the risk of severe complications and hospitalization are greatly reduced, according to the California Department of Public Health.
On Aug. 5, it was announced that all workers in health care facilities in California must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30. This is an absolutely necessary measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The longer the pandemic is prolonged by those who are unvaccinated, the greater the chances of mutations happening. Already 93% of new cases in the Midwest and over 80% of cases in New York and Southern states are caused by the new Delta variant of the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Delta variant is more deadly and contagious than the original Alpha version of the virus, and it developed by passing through unvaccinated people.
Vaccines offer the best protection from the virus, and those who are unvaccinated are put at a much greater risk of long-term illness or death.
In the United States alone, there have been 38.9 million cases and 637,000 deaths because of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Vaccination will put a halt to these cases.
The vaccine is currently free to anyone in the United States regardless of immigration status or health insurance status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To get vaccinated, visit vaccines.gov.
The time to mandate vaccination against COVID-19 is now.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.