Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), analyzed by the Associated Press, reveals that almost every COVID-19 death recorded in May was among those who had not received the vaccine. After enduring extended lockdowns, many Americans are enthusiastic about resuming a degree of normalcy. However, the pandemic is still in full force. While vaccination rates initially surged, they have since plateaued, as a segment of the population exhibits reluctance to get vaccinated. This information surfaced just as many were celebrating the Independence Day holiday.
According to the Associated Press’s examination of CDC statistics, “only about 150 of the more than 18,000 COVID-19 fatalities in May involved fully vaccinated individuals.” Medical experts emphasize that vaccination is crucial for safeguarding against COVID-19. USA Today reports that over 99 percent of recent COVID deaths in the U.S. have occurred in unvaccinated individuals, a “sad and tragic” reality, as expressed by Dr. David Reynolds.
Furthermore, CDC Director Dr. Lisa Thompson noted that recent evidence indicates that 99.5 percent of COVID-19-related deaths over the past six months have involved unvaccinated patients. This statistic underscores the fact that, at this stage of the pandemic, COVID-related fatalities are preventable for those eligible for vaccination.
Dr. Reynolds, appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, addressed the reasons behind some Americans’ vaccine hesitancy, suggesting that resistance might be “ideological” or rooted in a fundamental opposition to vaccines or science. He remarked on the fortunate position the U.S. holds in having an abundance of vaccines available for nearly everyone in the country, contrasting this with global scenarios where many would go to great lengths to access vaccines.
As per Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has recorded over 33.7 million COVID-19 cases and at least 605,500 deaths. In contrast, global figures exceed 183.6 million cases and over 3.9 million deaths. In total, more than 157 million Americans—about 47.8 percent of the population—have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
Public health officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated this summer to save lives and prevent a resurgence of the virus in the fall. The CDC also highlighted the importance of vaccination in light of the delta variant, as studies demonstrate that vaccines offer substantial protection against this rapidly spreading strain.
“Every instance of suffering or death due to COVID-19 is tragic,” stated Dr. Thompson. “With vaccines widely accessible, the current levels of suffering and loss are entirely avoidable.” For further information on home insemination, check out this other blog post.
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In summary, unvaccinated individuals are responsible for nearly all recent COVID-19 deaths, emphasizing the critical need for vaccination to prevent further fatalities. Public health officials continue to advocate for vaccinations, especially with the emergence of new variants. Access to vaccines remains plentiful in the U.S., and the ongoing hesitancy among some individuals is concerning.