The Possibility of the COVID-19 Vaccine Giving Us Herd Immunity

My parents have said throughout this pandemic that we will stop wearing masks in public when there is a widespread vaccine that everyone has gotten. Fauci has shown his optimism on this topic, as he believes that a vaccine could come as early as December. He says that he would "settle" for a Covid-19 vaccine that is 70% to 75% effective. Unfortunately, this incomplete protection, coupled with the fact that many Americans have said they will refuse to get the vaccine makes it unlikely that the United States can achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity is when a large enough proportion of a population is immune to an infectious disease (either through having the disease previously or vaccination) so that the spread from person to person is very unlikely.

When reading this I was very shocked. I thought there was no way that even 10% of Americans were opposed to this idea of vaccination. Usually, anti-vaxxers seem to be extremists, so I always figured that they did not make up a large part of the population. Well, here are the facts.

A CNN poll last month found that 1/3 of Americans said they would not try to get vaccinated against Covid, even if the vaccine is widely available and low cost. CNN asked Fauci in an interview Friday whether a vaccine with 70% to 75% efficacy taken by only 2/3 of the population would provide herd immunity. Fauci responded that it was unlikely.

Fauci also noted that "there is a general anti-science, anti-authority, anti-vaccine feeling among some people in this country - an alarmingly large percentage of people, relatively speaking." He wants to place an emphasis on educating people on the truth about vaccines, and spoke out about the government having a vaccine education program to counteract anti-vaccine messages. He feels the spokespeople should be people that are relatable, such as sports figures or community heroes. Unfortunately, there is not indication that such a program is in place.

Personally, if a program is put in place, I think that Troy and Abed should be the first spokespeople.

But I digress.

I have a feeling that I will be wearing my mask a lot longer than I initially planned if that CNN poll is correct. I'm just confused I think. I grew up in a family with two doctors, so I was taught and educated about vaccines at a young age. People that don't have that background could maybe be concerned about what is being injected inside them, I see that. That's why I think it is so important to do your research, to set your mind at ease. If you don't want to get vaccinated, think about the specific reason why, and then research to see if your suspicion is correct. It's the same thing I do in school when confused about how electricity or circular motion works in physics.

Have a great Monday!

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/28/health/fauci-coronavirus-vaccine-contact-tracing-aspen/index.html

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