Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is more beneficial than not getting vaccinated.

The Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination Over Not Getting Vaccinated

1. Provides better protection against infection compared to not being vaccinated.
2. Reduces the risk of developing Long COVID.
3. Lowers the chance of severe symptoms.
4. Decreases the likelihood of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

Elderly individuals and those with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. Most fatalities occur in high-risk groups who have not been fully vaccinated or have not received booster doses.

Currently, the latest recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination is with the monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine, intended for those requiring additional protection. Here are the guidelines:

1. For individuals who have never been vaccinated (regardless of whether they have had COVID-19 or not), it is essential to receive at least one dose of the latest COVID-19 vaccine.
2. For those who have previously received the original (Wuhan strain) vaccine or the bivalent vaccine (covering both the Wuhan and BA strains), they should receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine at least once a year. The new dose should be administered at least 3 months after the last vaccine dose or infection, regardless of how many doses they have received before.

The following groups are advised to receive the vaccine:

2.1 High-risk groups:

• Individuals aged 60 and above, pregnant women.
• Patients with certain chronic diseases such as chronic lung disease, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, stroke, heart, and vascular diseases.
• Those at higher risk of exposure or spreading the virus, such as healthcare workers, caregivers for high-risk individuals, and laboratory personnel handling viruses.