Check data provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You will find that while the number of immunized adult Americans against COVID-19 as of December 2021 was 85 per cent, 15 per cent still didn’t take their shots. A Household Pulse Survey (HPS) report suggested that households that did not receive their dose had several reasons for not going for vaccination.
For clarity, the vaccinated group can include fully and partially vaccinated people, whereas the unvaccinated category consists of adults without any dose. Half of the unvaccinated people’s concern about side effects prevents them from taking the vaccine. Then, 42% expressed their doubts about the vaccine, and another 10% said their doctors didn’t suggest it. 2% spoke of the unavailability or supply issues.
COVID-led deaths in vaccinated Vs. Unvaccinated American population
Without considering things, one might feel that most COVID-19 casualties happened to vaccinated people. According to the CDC, about 644 deaths occurred weekly in those aged 12 and older. Of those, 261 people who died had partially or fully completed all vaccine doses; some may even have one booster shot.
It may suggest that the vaccine isn’t that effective. But you cannot ignore the size factor, as most Americans have taken their vaccine shots. So even if the cases from the unvaccinated group are reported, the figures will still feel smaller.
Or, let’s explore it from a different angle. In March, the younger unvaccinated population (age 12 and more) reported 17 times more COVID-related casualties as against those who either completed their primary series or even got boosted, as informed by CDC’s Heather Scobie. Besides, the death rate was even less with people who had their boosters – nearly eight times lower than those who were unvaccinated.
The falsehood around COVID
University of Oregon’s recent survey shows how cases of long COVID affected people differently and why they have been most vulnerable. The same study also talks about what natives think about the virus. For example, 20% of the people believe that China made the virus, and masking doesn’t help.
It won’t seem surprising if you learn that almost 2 out of 5 Americans say they will take their shots only when they don’t need to wear a mask, as revealed by a recent immunity incentive poll by MyBioSource. Nevertheless, there were other exciting views also – some 1% believe that 5G networks are responsible for COVID. An additional 10% opine vaccine will alter their DNA.
According to the poll reports, liberals and modern dwellers worry more about the infection than those residing in rural areas or conservatives. About 40% of Oregonians from rural locations don’t bother, and over 35% of conservatives don’t see COVID-19 as a threat. If you compare it with the other groups, only 30% or even fewer urban people don’t consider COVID-19 problematic, and only 5% of liberals don’t see it as a risk.
On another note, a report on Native Americans also demonstrates that over 30% of the people contracted long COVID, which causes health issues like brain fog, disturbed sleep, fatigue, etc. According to the survey, the vaccinated population of Oregon constituted less than half of the long COVID cases in the state compared to 14% of unvaccinated who reported such symptoms.
The policy of paid incentive
Because health leaders believe vaccines and boosters, among other methods, offer high protection against the mutating COVID variants, they urge the public to complete their doses. But what could change the minds of those who oppose vaccination? The government is exploring the concept of incentive programs to attract them.
These programs may include cash payments, lottery or show tickets, scholarships, etc. You may be curious about what amount could be attractive for them. A survey found that 82% of the participants favored it, and 28% didn’t care.
MyBioSource presents a state-wise classification of the preferences around COVID-19 vaccine incentive programs. People in places like Wyoming, Virginia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Indiana, Louisiana, Illinois, and Alaska consider offers of more than $200 to be attractive.
Many other states cited more than $150, with a few others (such as Utah, Arkansas, etc.) quoting more than two figures from $77-99. Some people say that they will take vaccines if the unvaccinated population is not allowed entry into public spaces.
If you are one of 45% of individuals who think financial incentivization is a good enough reason to get jabbed, then it can be worth considering. After all, COVID has not left us.
The variants may not be as deadly as their predecessors, but they cause quick transmission, reinfection, and even long COVID symptoms. It can be one of your best bets if you don’t want to trade off your routine for another pandemic wave. Also, don’t fall for misinformation or false perceptions.