A message went around on social media this month, questioning whether vaccines like the flu shot and the MMR shot (for measles, mumps, and rubella) actually work.
Factcheck.org, a group that checks if things are true or not, quickly said the claims in the message were false. They also said that experts around the world think vaccines are one of the most important medical discoveries in the last 100 years. They showed quotes from groups like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that said vaccines are really good for us. Factcheck.org also said that people who are against vaccines have been using the COVID-19 pandemic to spread their message. They’re also sharing memes that say COVID-19 isn’t real. But the facts say something different. Almost 7 million people have died from COVID-19 around the world, according to the WHO. Even though there have been fewer cases lately, a new form of the virus is causing more people to get sick.
In Indiana, not many people are going to the hospital because of COVID, according to the CDC. But the virus is still a problem. The new form of the virus causes symptoms that are like a cold or allergies. Doctors say that if people with allergy-like symptoms don’t get tested and stay away from others, the virus could spread more easily.
So, the safest thing to do is make an appointment to get the latest COVID vaccine, which you can get at most big pharmacies. You can even get it at the same time as your yearly flu shot, but it’s a good idea to get them in different arms to avoid pain. The Biden administration also said they’re giving $600 million to make at-home COVID tests. You can order these tests for free at COVIDtests.gov, and they’ll be delivered to your home by the U.S. Postal Service.
Even though there aren’t as many COVID cases as before, the virus can still be deadly. It’s important for all of us to take steps to stop it from spreading. Don’t believe what you see online from people you went to high school with or distant relatives. Instead, listen to doctors and scientists, and do things to stop more people from dying because of COVID.
Image Source: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/want-herd-immunity-pay-people-to-take-the-vaccine/