“Once that happens, efforts to encourage vaccination will become much more difficult, presenting a challenge to reach the levels of herd immunity that are expected to be needed.”
‘We have slots that are not filled’
Kristy Fryman, the emergency response coordinator and public information officer for the Mercer County Health District in Ohio, told CNN on Tuesday that the demand for vaccine in the country is “slowing down.”
The younger population of the country is not as eager to be vaccinated, Fryman said, and ‘has the feeling that it might not be as bad if they get Covid.’
Others, according to her, decided to wait to see what the side effects were.
“We went back to the drawing board to try to figure out how more people could be vaccinated, but … we can do just as much,” Fryman added.
Earlier in the pandemic, Mercer County was one of the hardest hit parts of the state. Fryman said the country is again reporting an increase in Covid-19 cases.
“It is worrying that we are seeing an increase and that the population does not want to be vaccinated,” she said.
In Spring Lake, Michigan, dr. Rob Davidson, an emergency physician, said Tuesday that local officials are also becoming increasingly concerned about the hesitation they see.
“We have slots that are not filled. I know that in Western Michigan and other parts, especially in Michigan,” he said.
Experts recommend that people continue to wear masks after vaccination
For Americans who have been fully vaccinated, experts have said that it is best to wear a mask.
“If you are vaccinated, you will protect yourself and you will probably not get sick, but we do not know how long the virus will live in your respiratory system,” said Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, specialist in internal medicine said. and CNN medical analyst, said Tuesday. “That’s why you may be contagious to others.”
As for the gatherings, Rodriguez said Americans who are fully vaccinated prefer to meet only with others who have also been vaccinated.
Experts stressed that it would be important for people to follow Covid-19 safety measures until the vaccinations climb, until the country can suppress the spread of the virus.
About 61% of respondents are social distance, which is six percentage points lower than last month and 13 points from two months ago.
The percentage of people who wear a mask at all times when they leave home – 63% – is the lowest since the summer and with 10 percentage points since two months ago.
Meanwhile, the perceived risks with activities such as shopping in retail and grocery stores and attending sporting events are also declining.
CNN’s Naomi Thomas and Maggie Fox contributed to this report.