Over the summer, the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections skyrocketed. There are other possibilities in winter.
However, less than 20% of U.S. adults are worried about contracting COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses or illnesses this season, according to a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases survey. Ta.
Dr. James Cutrell, an associate professor and infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, explained to KERA’s Sam Baker why there is a lack of interest in COVID-19 vaccines.
One is that perhaps because the coronavirus hasn’t been in the news as much, I think people aren’t necessarily as aware of the need or the risks as they were at the beginning of the pandemic.
Secondly, I think there are still concerns about side effects associated with the vaccine.
However, 45% of those surveyed said they did not plan to receive the latest coronavirus vaccine. And the study was conducted in August, during or just after the summer coronavirus scare. Isn’t that what motivated you to take pictures?
I hope so. But people are seeing reports on the news that, you know, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and national agencies like the CDC and public health are making recommendations. I don’t think the impact will be that big if you do that.
When we see someone who has been infected with COVID-19, or someone close to us who has been infected with COVID-19, that can often be an incentive or motivator to consider getting vaccinated.
So I think it will further help people understand their own personal risks and move the needle on people getting vaccinated.
You also mentioned side effects. Are there any side effects to worry about?
What we’ve learned over time is that the most common thing is some kind of pain or maybe a reaction in the area where you got the vaccine. These tend to be very short-lived and disappear after a day or two.
However, there are rare side effects. One that has received a lot of attention is an inflammation of the heart called myocarditis. This seems to be more common in men and young men.
So when we weigh the risks and benefits of vaccines, we certainly take this into account, especially, you know, for young, healthy people.
But overall, I think the data is clear that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the side effects and risks, especially in people who are at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Therefore, the following groups are highly recommended to get updated boosters:
Anyone over the age of 65. These people are often at the highest risk of being hospitalized or even dying from the coronavirus.
People with serious chronic illnesses. This may include people with chronic heart or lung disease, people who have had organ transplants, and people who may have various types of cancer.
Pregnant people are also at increased risk of serious consequences. Vaccinations during pregnancy can also help protect your immune system and antibodies after your baby is born.
So these are the groups that are the most at risk and we really want to encourage them to get the latest vaccines.
For yourself or for others?
both.
For some people in the high-risk categories I mentioned earlier, it would definitely be in their personal interest to obtain it for themselves.
But in some cases, they may live with high-risk people or work in high-risk areas such as hospitals or nursing homes. Therefore, for such people, it can also be important to obtain it to protect those around them.
I think this is also an area where we need to continue to do good real-world research on these vaccines, including in this new era where many people have already been infected with COVID-19. Therefore, they may have some innate immune defenses.
We therefore need to understand what additional benefits these vaccines provide to individuals so that we can continue to provide accurate and useful information when advising on whether additional vaccine boosters are appropriate. there is.
resource:
2024 National Survey: Awareness and behavior towards influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and pneumococcal disease
How Americans view coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines as concern levels decline
The new coronavirus vaccine has been completed. Why you shouldn’t rush to get it
CDC: Respiratory diseases
CDC: Vaccine
