Health officials concerned about getting out a COVID-19 vaccine too quickly

ALABAMA, USA — Health officials say it over and over, separate, sanitize, and wear your mask.

Doctors at UAB are stressing the importance of taking these precautions this Labor Day weekend.

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During a press conference on Thursday, UAB's Division of Infectious Diseases Director, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, talked about concerns with getting a COVID-19 vaccine out too quickly. She says using a messenger RNA vaccine, a new technology being used to make a COVID-19 vaccine, has not yet been proven to be a tried and true method.

"Do we really have confidence that we can go out there and vaccinate everybody safely without knowing the longer term benefits or side effects of this vaccine? That's my really big concern," said Dr. Marrazzo.

RELATED: Pfizer expects COVID-19 vaccine results by end of October

With flu season right around the corner, doctors are encouraging people to go ahead and get the flu vaccine.

Click here to watch the full press conference.

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