COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Maine. Per data supplied by the Maine CDC, the current 7-day average number of new cases daily is 485. Hospitalizations across the state are going up also, with 76 patients in critical care and 34 on a ventilator as of today. The numbers we are seeing are as bad or worse than numbers we saw in January of this year. And, we are lately seeing so many young people with COVID cases in people under 20 years of age now represent the biggest subset, at 20% of cumulative cases (since the beginning of the pandemic). People in their 20s represent 18% of cases. Across the decades the percentages are approximately as follows: the 30s: 15%, the 40s: 13%, the 50s: 14%, the 60s: 10%, the 70s: 5%, and the 80s: 3%. So far, 981 people have died from, and 2,404 have been hospitalized with COVID in Maine. Many of those that survive will have long term problems from the infection. A major means of spread is likely to be children in the coming months, as their numbers are rising. According to the Portland Press Herald, in the last 30 days there have been 1390 COVID-19 cases in schools and 52 active outbreaks.
The main reason for this surge in cases is the Delta variant. It is much more contagious than the prior variants we have encountered. That is why if you have not already, it is time to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Every day in the clinic I talk with people about this. Every time I am on-call I see or hear about hospitalized patients with COVID who are unvaccinated. It is terrifying to see. As bad as the situation is, there are still people who refuse to get vaccinated.
Let’s discuss a few of the reasons I’ve heard.
“They made it political.” Whether or not politicians have an opinion or want you to be vaccinated is not really relevant to your risk, and you will not be protected from the virus because a politician offends you. Not getting vaccinated because of politicians is akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face.
“Vaccines force the virus to mutate.” False. Viruses mutate anyway. That is what they do, and they tend to do it a predictable rate. Thus, the more people they infect, the more they get a chance to mutate. Vaccines lower overall replication because they lower the number of people who will get infected. It is that simple.
“Vaccinated people are getting infected too, so what’s the point?” There has been a small percentage of breakthrough cases (about 0.25% of vaccinated Mainers). COVID is primarily spreading among unvaccinated people.
“I’m worried about women’s reproductive health.” There is no legitimate connection between women’s health and the COVID-19 vaccines. That is a myth spread by people who ignore or don’t understand the data.
“I’m worried about long term side effects.” The only long term side effect from COVID vaccination is immunity to the virus that causes COVID.
“I’m worried it hasn’t been tested enough.” Before the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were available over 60,000 people were injected in trials. Now, over 180,000,000 Americans have been fully vaccinated. There is far more data than we need.
“It’s going to change my DNA.” That is not possible. Whoever told you this didn’t understand what they were talking about, and they certainly did not understand basic genetics. Messenger RNA does not go into the nucleus where DNA is in the cell.
“I’m worried about side effects when I get the vaccine.” It is true that most people will feel soreness at the injection site for a day or two, and many people will have mild flu-like symptoms briefly. That is the immune system working. It is a good, not a bad thing. A very small percentage of people will have more serious side effects when they get the vaccine, such as an allergic reaction. Most people with allergies are will be fine. However, anaphylaxis, a severe reaction, has rarely been reported. If you have ever had a serious reaction to a vaccine, or are concerned, talk with your doctor about risk, and have your vaccine at a facility staffed by trained medical professionals, so that if something happens they will be there to help you. Before you are vaccinated you should be screened and asked questions that will help vaccinators assess your risk.
“It’s a medical freedom issue.” You might see it that way, but since some people can spread the virus asymptomatically, and almost all will spread it pre-symptomatically (before they have symptoms of the infection), unvaccinated people place others at risk, and that is where expression of freedom becomes a problem. This is why we require vaccinations with young children. This is why all of my med school classmates and I were required to be fully vaccinated, why people take vaccines prior to certain travel. The list of precedent goes on and on. Asking people to be vaccinated is nothing new. It is the right thing to do.
“I’d rather let my immune system fight it off.” Nearly a 1000 Mainers and close to 700,000 Americans have shown by dying from COVID that this is not a great idea. In fact, between 1-2% of Americans with COVID have died. Of the millions infected who survived many will have long term symptoms of disease from lung damage, blood clots, and other issues. The virus is many times more likely to harm you than the vaccine.
“I already had COVID. I don’t need it.” The CDC recommends you still get the vaccine in order to have protection against other variants. In fact, studies have shown that people who have been infected and later vaccinated have some of the best immunity against the virus that causes COVID.
The vaccine is our way out of this. Please get vaccinated and encourage others to do so. And remember, mask in public, wear some kind of eye protection, physically distance, ventilate closed spaces. Be smart about this, and don’t let down your guard yet.
