It is amazing that given what we know about the potential effects of COVID-19 and the safe and effectiveness…
of available vaccines, that there is a small fraction of the population (in countries where vaccine is relatively available), the are unwilling to get the shot. Most trends and cursory analyses indicate that 10-15% of the population in many countries will not get vaccinated, despite vaccine mandates and passports (in some regions he 90% threshold has already been passed). Given the “accepted number” for herd immunity when considering the delta variant is ~85%, in general most places are looking OK.
To “encourage” people to get the vaccine, many Governments have set-up “systems”; basically coercion and mandates. While some are very hasty – for example in our region (Melbourne, Australia), for the vast majority of the population the “mandate” is here and now – basically, as soon as there was enough vaccine to vaccinate people over 16 years old. In the UK, frontline healthcare workers will be required to be vaccinated by next April. In general, given the uptick of COVID-19 cases in Europe, lockdowns in certain parts have already begun including in the Basque region (Spain). In Singapore the idea is to stop subsidising medical costs for unvaccinated people. Basically, Governments are making up rules according to the situation and as they see fit. In the US, there are requirements in many regions and the big deadline is January 4th, 2022. In New York, vaccine mandates are in force and as an enticement fully vaccinated people will be allowed to attend Times Square on New Year’s Eve – exciting! Booster shots will also be made available and encouraged for all.
On the note of booster shots – which are becoming widely available in more affluent countries – there are serious issues to consider… first, people that have been vaccinated more than six months ago probably need one (in some countries, people vaccinated more than nine months ago, are not eligible for the “passport” and not considered fully vaccinated)… but, how about people in less affluent countries – countries where vaccination rates are less than 10%? Are we not “hogging” vaccine? There some good stories – of good will – for example, Prizer-BioNTech with Zipline delivered a batch of vaccine (50,000), to Ghana by drone. Countries are trying.
The point is – vaccines work – it is clear … a perfect example is how Israel handled the delta variant – despite the high vaccination rate and surge in delta-variant driven cases were observed starting in August, and a quick vaccination drive plus booster shots where applicable reduced cases by October and now there are fewer than 500 cases per day and very low death numbers (three deths reported yesterday).
But there are people the don’t want to get vaccinated. IMO, we can’t punish people – it has to be there choice – we can encourage, suggest but not force. Punishments for breaking COVID-19 protocols vary; one of the most severe I’ve come across is the 300k fine to the NFL Green Bay Packers and $14,650 fines to two players from that team that attended Halloween parties – unvaccinated and not wearing masks. It is severe … but … Halloween parties have been identified as key events leading to outbreaks. In California, Amazon will pay $500,000 in California for hiding Covid-19 cases from workers? That sounds dirtier that Sophia Urista’s activities at Daytona, Florida in the past few days.
On the note of celebrities – following more twists and turns than the Theranos trial – Britney is finally Freed!
Until next time …