The country’s coronavirus vaccination efforts are failing. Last year, only 22% of adults received the latest coronavirus booster shot, less than half the vaccination rate for influenza, even though the virus is twice as deadly.
More effective public health messages are needed to encourage vaccinations as concerns grow over the long-lasting effects of the coronavirus and a surge in infections is expected from more contagious variants this winter. is.
Much has been made about the impact of coronavirus on overall health, productivity, and the economy. But recent research suggests a compelling new argument for the vaccine: its ability to reduce the intelligence of the coronavirus.
The authors of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine used data from more than 100,000 people in the UK who took online tests to find out whether people, even those with only mild symptoms, could be infected with the coronavirus. They found that people in recovery had measurable cognitive impairment. Even participants who had “mild cases of COVID-19 from which symptoms recovered” showed impairments “equivalent to a three-point reduction in IQ” compared to uninfected participants.
The decline in cognitive function was more pronounced in those who had experienced more severe infections. Participants who had a long-term COVID-19 infection, meaning symptoms lasted for more than 12 weeks, had an average IQ drop of 6 points, and participants who were admitted to intensive care had a 9 point drop in IQ. . Conceded points. ”
The results of this study are stronger than those of an earlier observational study conducted in Norway, but are not widely known. Yes, many people know that COVID-19 can cause short-term “brain fog,” but these studies show that cognitive impairment can last for years. increasing the possibility. This suggests another reason to get vaccinated. That means it has the potential to protect your intelligence.
Many people consider their reasoning abilities to be a core aspect of their identity. That’s one reason why the possibility of dementia is so scary. This study suggests that getting a booster may be one way to maintain that ability and promote brain health. If you want to keep solving Wordle and Saturday crosswords, there’s another reason to get a boost.
This message is especially important for younger generations who perceive themselves to be at lower risk. These findings underscore the point that COVID-19 is more than just the flu. The potential for permanent cognitive impairment is too significant to ignore. Young people, whose more active social lives often facilitate the spread of the coronavirus, can protect not only their health but also their intelligence and future by getting vaccinated.
Many young people accept the risk of infection based on their strong physical health, but underestimate the potential of the virus to cause long-term neurological damage. The fact that even mild cases of COVID-19 can cause such significant harm may help challenge the general complacency about vaccination.
Public health messages about vaccination often focus on helping others, especially older people. A study published in The Lancet last year found that for every 150 people who received the booster shot, one emergency room visit due to coronavirus was prevented. But while it’s good to do things for others, research suggests that self-interest is a more powerful motivator. Especially since the jab is often accompanied by short-term pain, fever and other symptoms as the immune system ramps up in response. These downsides seem like a small price to pay for the valuable benefits of preserving intelligence.
We need to highlight the impact on cognitive health to promote an informed understanding of the disease rather than promoting fear of it. Much remains unknown about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive function, and whether these effects will persist even as new variants emerge. But we know enough to urge the public to think not just about surviving the virus, but also about thriving after recovery.
We now have data that highlights unexpected risks from the virus, especially alarming for young people who value mental strength. This should motivate more of us to strengthen our community’s defenses against this terrible disease.
Of course, it is wise to be fully vaccinated. That’s why more than 95% of people in the group who know more about the coronavirus than most doctors have been vaccinated. But vaccination also helps you stay smart. We all need to keep this in mind when deciding whether to get a coronavirus booster this fall.
Ian Ayers is a professor at Yale Law School. Lisa Saunders is a professor at Yale School of Medicine and director of Yale’s Interdisciplinary Long-term Coronavirus Care Center.
