Addressing common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
Dear Students,
While Herkimer County Community College is not currently mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, it will be required for all students on campus once it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unvaccinated students will be required to follow health and safety protocols such as mask-wearing, weekly COVID testing, and social distancing. Therefore, we strongly encourage all students who will be on campus this fall for any reason to consider getting vaccinated now.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. They’re now available at most local pharmacies, so it’s easy and convenient to get your shots. Find a location near you and get started today.
SUNY is kicking off its #30DayVaxChallenge today to get as many students as possible fully vaccinated before the start of the fall semester. Check out their video on YouTube. SUNY has also provided answers to some common questions below.
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Question/Concern |
Answer |
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I already had COVID. Why do I need the vaccine?
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Virus variants like the Delta variant are on the rise, and unvaccinated individuals are most at risk for serious illness, hospitalization, and death. |
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Can I trust vaccines that were developed so quickly? |
The tech behind the vaccines is not new and researchers have been working with it for decades. Millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine.
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I’m healthy and not at risk for COVID. Why should I get vaccinated? |
Many people are still not eligible for the vaccine, including everyone under the age of 12. Being fully vaccinated helps prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to others. |
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I’m concerned about long-term effects of the vaccine. |
Serious side effects causing long-term health problems are extremely unlikely with any vaccine, including COVID. On the other hand, there are reports of serious longer-term effects of COVID-19 infection, known as Long COVID. |
Learn more from SUNY and community experts at suny.edu/knowyourvax, or talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider for more information.
If you have not yet been vaccinated, now is the time to do it. We’re all looking forward to getting back to the things we’ve missed most over the past year and a half—and the best way to ensure a smooth and safe return to campus is to get vaccinated before returning.
We look forward to seeing you this fall.
Sincerely,
Cathleen C. McColgin, Ph.D.
President
