More than 150 million Americans have received the COVID-19 vaccine and the country is slowly relaxing some of the restrictions that were necessary to limit spread of the disease. In light of the new CDC guidelines on masks for fully vaccinated people announced on May 13, many feel confident we are getting closer to a time when we can go out and enjoy life as we did prior to March 2020.

Getting all the way “back to normal,” however, will require higher rates of acceptance and use of the COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Here are a few reasons to trust the effectiveness of the vaccines if you are still on the fence about receiving one:

• Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from getting sick. These vaccines are incredibly effective, providing as much as 96 percent protection against getting sick from the virus. They perform even better than that in preventing severe complications leading to hospitalization and even possible death.

• More vaccinations would protect everyone. When enough people get their COVID-19 vaccines, the country can attain “herd immunity,” suppressing the number of infections so well that even those few who aren’t immunized won’t get the disease. Only when we reach this point can we truly say we’ve defeated COVID-19.

• The COVID-19 vaccine development was fast, but it did not skip steps. The vaccines were developed at an accelerated rate and were approved quickly by the Food and Drug Administration. Nevertheless, they were made using technologies that have been tested and found safe for many years. None of the vaccines contain the actual virus.

• Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you still should get the vaccine. The vaccine will add extra protection to your immune system should you be exposed to COVID-19 again.

Consult with a doctor about taking the vaccine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have fertility concerns. The vaccines are safe for breastfeeding mothers and do not harm a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

After receiving shot(s), you might temporarily experience a sore arm, a mild fever or body aches, but this doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. These symptoms, if they happen at all, typically last a day or two. They signal a natural response as your body’s immune system learns to recognize and fight the coronavirus.