SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Local doctors warned even though the number of people getting the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing daily, we all need to continue taking precautions to stop the disease.

“We are still going to be months out from having control over the spread of the infection because we have to have the time to get a large enough portion of the population protected,” said Dr. Tamara Sheffield with Intermountain Healthcare.

Nearly 125,000 Utahns had been vaccinated as of Wednesday.

The vaccine is 52% effective after the first of two shots needed in the vaccination process. It becomes 95% effective after the second shot.

Sheffield said it’s still important to keep up social distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands to reduce the risk of exposure, even after the second shot. “Unless we get a large enough portion of the population to be vaccinated or immune to the disease, we will not control the spread of the disease,” she said.

Sheffield added those who get the shot may see more side effects after the second dose, which is expected. Those include fever, body aches, chills and headaches.