A new study by the CDC revealed that unvaccinated people are 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the pressure to get vaccinated, especially on the younger generations will continue.
This pressure is stemming from the fact that if you’re not vaccinated, the virus replicates and there are more chances for mutation. Just twelve months ago we were dealing with a different variant of COVID-19 than we are today. We’re also seeing that the Delta mutation is worse than the original and further mutations could be even more contagious and deadly.
What age group is being impacted by the Delta variant?
Recent studies are showing that younger people are being impacted by the Delta variant. A study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta. We’re also seeing this in our local hospitals where most patients on a ventilator for are under 50 years of age and test positive for the Delta variant.
Part of the reason that the younger population is at greater risk is because they are not vaccinated. While someone who is vaccinated can still get Delta, it replicates more easily in unvaccinated people.
How does me getting vaccinated help?
The more mutations of COVID-19 that arise, the more likely it is that the existing vaccines will become less effective. Just recently, the Mu mutation has been discovered in other countries and is possibly worse than the Delta variant.
Delta is 50% more contagious than COVID-19 and one person typically spreads it to 3.5 to 4 other people.
This pandemic is a public health issue. When you get vaccinated you are not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your family, your peers, and your community. As long as the virus can find a host and someone to replicate in, it will keep going.
At this point, getting vaccinated is a risk assessment like many other things in life. So far, the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the risks.
Young people and children are dying now from COVID-19. If you are vaccinated, you likely won’t get as sick if you get the disease and you are much less likely to die. Most importantly, you’ll help stop the spread of this virus so that it can hopefully one day be eradicated.
To get vaccinated:
- Make a vaccine appointment at no cost by contacting the at 775-784-6598. The Student Health Center continues to offer daily COVID-19 testing by appointment as well.
- Make a vaccine appointment with the .
- Text your zip code to 438829 to get three locations near you with vaccines in stock.
- Use the from Immunize ΒιΆΉΣ³».
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