US surgeon general answers public’s questions about COVID-19 vaccines

As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of questions being asked, like how can they sure they’re really safe, considering how quickly they were made?

That’s just one of the many questions U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answered Monday during an online session.

Experts say we need around 80% to 90% of Americans to get it so things can return to normal, but one of the latest surveys shows that only 60% of Americans want it.

So, how can vaccines be safe if they were created so quickly?

“We absolutely did not cut corners in the production of these vaccines. We cut red tape. And I want people to know – while it may seem new, the vaccine platforms that Moderna and Pfizer used have been around for over a decade. And they’ve been tested on tens of thousands of people,” Adams said.

Another person asked why anyone who is healthy and under the age of 50 should get vaccinated.

“Older people are certainly at a much higher risk of dying of the coronavirus, but young people have been hospitalized and have died from this virus, which is why I want you to get your vaccine,” Adams replied.

He adds that the vaccine will also likely provide protection against spreading the virus, so when younger people are vaccinated, it helps protect the community as a whole.

You can see all of Adams’ answers by clicking here.