After more than a year of uncertainty, loss and sacrifice, COVID-19 vaccines are giving us a chance to put this pandemic behind us, to restore normalcy and protect ourselves, our families and friends, and the many essential workers who have been supporting us every day. These vaccines are highly effective at reducing hospitalizations and deaths from the novel coronavirus, but only if we come together as a community and take them. Be selective in where you get your COVID-19 vaccine information. For the latest information from Sarasota Memorial Hospital and public health recommendations, visit smh.com/vaccine.