Covid shot
Nearly 180 million Americans have been at least partially vaccinated against Covid-19, but rates remain frustratingly low in some areas, particularly Detroit, where just under 38 percent of those eligible have opted for the shot(s).
Do it. It's smart. (File photo)
For those still on the fence, perhaps this statistic will help you decide, as reported by The Detroit News:
More than 99% of all COVID-19 hospitalizations in Michigan between Jan. 1 and June 15 involved people who were not fully vaccinated against the virus, according to data from a statewide hospital association and state government modeling.
Which would seem to indicate that everything we've been told about the vaccines is true: They are highly effective against Covid, especially severe Covid.
While there have been what are known as "breakthrough" cases, i.e., patients who got sick even after being fully vaccinated -- an expected rarity -- they comprised only .88 percent of hospitalizations. And:
Even when someone does have a breakthrough case, most of the worst symptoms are mitigated, said Dr. Daniel Kaul, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Michigan. People who do get sick are also largely able to avoid the lingering symptoms seen in COVID long-haulers, so named because they experience symptoms as long as a year after initially catching the virus.
The so-called Delta variant remains a concern, but again, vaccination mitigates the worst of it:
For people who have been fully vaccinated, the Delta variant may not be as great a concern. A British study showed that the Pfizer vaccine is 88% effective against symptomatic disease with the Delta variant, meaning vaccinated people may still get it but may be less likely to get sick.
