By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P] .
The country is getting closer every day to winning the war against COVID-19, however, that will only be achieved when all those eligible for immunization choose to roll up their sleeves and allow a safe and effective vaccine, the main weapon against the disease, to be administered to them.
So far, more than 182 million Americans have received at least one dose, including nearly 90 percent of seniors and 70 percent of people age 27 and older, President Joseph Biden said Tuesday in a statement issued by the White House.
He added that by the end of this week, the mark of 160 million Americans fully vaccinated will be reached.
The vaccine really works
COVID-19 cases and deaths are down 90 percent since January due to millions of vaccine applications.
Millions of fully vaccinated Americans are returning to living their lives as before. Businesses are reopening and hiring. And projected economic growth is the highest in four decades. Yes, thanks to millions of vaccines given.
"And the bottom line is: the virus is fleeing and America is coming back. We're coming back together," Biden said in his brief speech.
The war is not over yet
The fight against this virus is not over. Today, millions of Americans are still unvaccinated and unprotected. And because of that, their communities are at risk. Their friends are at risk. The people they care about are at risk, and this concern is heightened by the Delta variant, which is responsible for half of all positive cases of the virus in many parts of the country, because it is more easily transmitted, potentially more dangerous.
"Look, let me put it another way: it seems to me it should make everybody think twice. And it should cause reconsideration, especially in young people who may have thought they didn't have to get vaccinated, didn't have to worry about it, didn't have to do anything about it until now," Biden said.
However, the good news is that the vaccines distributed in the country are very effective. And those fully vaccinated have a high degree of protection, even against this Delta variant.
Importantly, study after study has shown that, since the beginning of May, virtually all hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in the United States have occurred among the unvaccinated.
So, if you're vaccinated, you're protected. But if you're not vaccinated, you're not, and you're putting yourself and, more importantly, perhaps, from your perspective, your family and friends at risk.
So get vaccinated today. It works and it's free.
Actions. Love and Protection
For the rest of the summer, the government will focus on actions to ensure that vaccination continues to make progress and stop deaths due to the virus.
While mass vaccination sites will be closed, efforts will now focus on communities and neighborhoods. Door to door.
This includes 42,000 local pharmacies where residents will be able to get vaccinated without an appointment, even while shopping or picking up medications.
It's time. Get vaccinated.
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