ALBANIA – Albany County Health Commissioner on Friday made a direct appeal to individuals who have not yet decided to be vaccinated, arguing that vaccines are the fastest way to normalcy and criticism as coronavirus cases begin to flatten and even in other parts of the state, country and globe.
Dr Elizabeth Whalen has addressed the increase in cases seen elsewhere – which scientists say is fueled by highly contagious variants and relaxed precautions – while also acknowledging the overall decline the province has seen in cases since mid-January.
“It is reassuring that our number of cases is declining, but it is not yet low enough to pass a pass,” she said. “They are not low enough for people to say, ‘Well, the numbers are going down, maybe I do not need to be vaccinated. ‘”
The capital region, like much of the rest of the country, has seen a sharp decline in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, with all three peaking in January. But over the past month, declines have slowed, and business has been on a plateau for weeks now.
The region of eight countries has averaged about 200 confirmed cases of the virus a day on average since mid-February, according to a Times Union analysis of data from the country. The region’s seven-day positivity rate has also been running at almost 2 percent since mid-February. Although hospitalizations have generally declined since mid-January, they also started flat this month. The hospital in the capital region has had a daily census of about 100 coronavirus patients since March 9.
“We’re seeing a third wave in other countries,” Whalen said Friday. “The term ‘third wave’ is not something we want to think about, but it is certainly a possibility, and as we see these highly transmissible strains emerging and seeing our spread in different parts of the country and in other countries, it is a big concern for us. ”
In the Northeast, officials are concerned that a variant discovered in New York City could slow the rate at which positivity figures fall, as cases have flattened at high levels in some places. Meanwhile, the medical adviser of the White House, dr. Anthony Fauci, warned this week that the US should take a lesson from Europe, where in some countries a new wave of cases is occurring, and that it should not be lifted too quickly with the restriction of public health.
Whalen said there are two main ways to avoid a third wave of infections.
The first is all the precautions for public health that people are advised from the beginning: wear a mask while in public, keep social distance, wash hands regularly and avoid large gatherings. The second is to be vaccinated.
“There are a lot of people who are currently trying to get vaccines,” she said. ‘There are people who are committed to never getting vaccinated. But there are many of you who are in between, and these are the people I would like to talk to about the importance of having confidence in this vaccine. ‘
The coronavirus vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use have been shown to be safe and effective during clinical trials, she noted. Unlike the disinformation found online, the vaccines do not alter a person’s DNA and do not give you COVID-19, she said.
Whalen said she herself was vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine.
‘I really want to encourage people that this is the best way to move forward if you want to get vaccinated, this is the best way to proceed … I will not vaccinate or encourage family members to be vaccinated unless I believe that it is safe unless I have checked the scientific evidence, ”she said. “And I will say without reservation that I do recommend vaccination.”
She noted that side effects can occur after vaccination, but adds that this is a normal reaction that indicates that the body’s immune system is starting to fight COVID-19.
She also advised people to be careful about where they get their vaccination information, and recommends that they search for credible information on the Department of Health website, the Department of Health website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
‘Facebook is not a reliable source of vaccination information. … when we talk about evidence, when I talk about giving information to the public based on evidence, it’s important to know that evidence is not equal to anecdotes … it means that evidence is the experience of requires a large, statistically significant group of people. tell you what the risk is, “she said. In contrast, anecdotes are a story of someone who gave you your personal experience. There is a big difference. ‘
Local provinces are making progress with their vaccination efforts. As of Friday, just over 29 percent of the people living in the capital region of eight provinces have received at least one dose of vaccine and nearly 15 percent have been fully vaccinated, according to state data. Experts said at least 70 percent of the population must be immune to achieve herd immunity.
Whalen and other local officials also remind people that full protection against the vaccines only takes place two weeks after the last dose.
“We do see people get the first dose of vaccine and think they can go out and not wear masks and behave normally and socialize, and then we see how they get off with COVID,” Whalen said. “It simply came to our notice then. So know that it takes your body time to build these antibodies. ”
Although the vaccines are very effective in preventing moderate to severe diseases caused by the virus, it is possible that vaccines still carry the virus and spread it to others, so officials have encouraged people who have been vaccinated to wear masks and distance wear while in the area. which may not be vaccinated.
Warren County said Thursday it has documented two cases of coronavirus this week among people who were fully vaccinated in January. Both have mild illness and are the first cases the country has seen among vaccinated residents. In the past few weeks, six more cases have been reported in the country among people who have had only one dose.
“Vaccinations are not considered 100 percent effective, but dramatically reduce the chance of getting sick and serious diseases among those who contract COVID,” the country said in a statement. “Warren County Health Services insists that those vaccinated continue to follow COVID-related precautions until the community slows down.”