F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- In the U.S., by their second birthday, over 90 percent of children are vaccinated: 92.6 percent for Polio, 90.8 percent for Measles, Mumps, Rubella. 90.6 percent for Hepatitis B and 90.2 percent for Chickenpox. A 90 percent vaccination rate means that 90 percent of parents trust the medical science research and public health communities.
The success of the Measles eradication campaign tells an interesting story in the context of the SARSCoV-2 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 spreads similarly to measles. Unlike measles, however, SARS-CoV-2 has a non-human reservoir, which makes eradication of COVID-19 improbable.
The clinical and public health objectives are to make COVID-19 a manageable disease through vaccinations. We can do this. Do not hesitate. It’s not worth the delay, the mental anguish, the hospitalizations, and the deaths. “It’s worth a shot”.
Let’s get to 95 percent. Roll up your sleeves. Vaccinate.