Why should I get vaccinated? What are the benefits?
First, as you can learn at the CDC and other resources referenced above, vaccinations are great protection from serious illness and death from COVID-19.
Second, vaccinated UMaine or UMaine Machias students and employees who have verified their status by uploading their vaccination cards to the secure campus portal currently are exempt from on-campus COVID-19 testing upon arrival and throughout the fall semester. Vaccinated students also will be exempt from quarantining after arrival testing.
Third, vaccinated persons who are found to be close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 are exempt from quarantining under current public health guidance and University requirements.
And vaccinated students who have uploaded their vaccination cards are automatically entered for a weekly drawing for $1,000 scholarships through Aug. 20 as part of the University of Maine System COVID-19 Vaccination Shot Clock campaign.
Again, getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations and death. With the delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. CDC has updated guidance for fully vaccinated people based on new evidence on the delta variant.
The CDC notes the multiple benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccination:
- The vaccine is safe and effective.
- After you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you can resume many activities that you did before the pandemic.
- COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection.
- COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.