Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

CLAIM

Natural Immunity Better Than Protection From COVID-19 Vaccination, researchers in Estonia found

DETAILS

Lack of context: A study in Estonia suggests that a past infection protects better against future infection and serious illness than vaccination. However, the study also showed that hybrid immunity resulting from infection and vaccination conferred the best protection. Misleading: While both infection and vaccination can generate some protective immunity, vaccination is safer because it does so without exposing the person to the risks associated with the disease. While lauding the benefits of infection-induced immunity, the article glossed over the fact that those who die from COVID-19 dont develop immunity at all.

KEY TAKE AWAY

Both infection and vaccination can provide some protective immunity against COVID-19. However, these two pathways are neither equivalent nor mutually exclusive. Acquiring immunity through infection requires the person to expose themself to the disease. While most people will only develop a mild infection, some might end up with severe illness or even die. By contrast, vaccination is a much safer strategy for acquiring immunity and can also enhance protection in people who already have immunity from a past infection.

Any new piece of evidence showing that a past infection protects against COVID-19 has been wielded as evidence that immunity from infection is better than that from vaccination. This claim resurfaced in late November 2023 with a study conducted in Estonia and published in Scientific Reports[1].

Headlines proclaiming the superiority of infection-induced immunity based on this study appeared in the Washington Times and The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times article was reproduced on other websites, including ZeroHedge and The Blaze, which also posted about the study on social media. This tweet by ZeroHedge received over one million views.

However, these headlines are misleading because they convey the message that getting infected is a better strategy for acquiring immunity than vaccination or that those who recover from infection dont need to get vaccinated. Neither of these messages are true, as this review will show.

The study by Uuskla et al. is a retrospective cohort study. This type of study uses existing health data over a period of time to examine the relationship between a given exposure and the health outcome of interest.

Specifically, Uuskla et al. evaluated the level of protection from previous infection and COVID-19 vaccination (exposures) using data from the Estonian national health system from 23 February 2020 to 25 June 2022. As a measure of protection, the researchers analyzed the risk of infection and hospitalization (outcomes).

The researchers then compared these risks in people who had recovered from infection with people with no immunity (Cohort 1, n = 94,982), hybrid immunity resulting from previous infection and vaccination (Cohort 2, n = 47,342), and people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine (Cohort 3, n = 254,920).

The results showed that people who recovered from an infection were around five times less likely to have a new infection and ten times less likely to become hospitalized compared to those who had never been infected. This protection lasted for over a year during the period when the Delta variant was dominant. The researchers also found that people who recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection had a lower risk of reinfection (Figure 1) and hospitalization compared to vaccinated people.

These results suggest that infection-induced immunity generally offers stronger and longer-lasting protection against infection, symptoms, and hospitalization compared to vaccine-induced immunity.

Figure 1 Comparison of the cumulative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Y-axis) through time (X-axis) in people with infection-induced immunity versus no immunity (Cohort 1, top), hybrid immunity (Cohort 2, middle), and vaccine-induced immunity (Cohort 3, bottom). In each row, the graph on the left (B) shows the period when the Delta variant was dominant, while the graph on the right (C) shows the period when the Omicron variant was dominant.

However, what the headlines didnt mention is that hybrid immunity conferred the best protection against both infection (Figure 1) and hospitalization. In fact, the researchers found that protection from hybrid immunity against severe illness significantly exceeded that of natural immunity. The authors noted that hospitalization was extremely rare among individuals with hybrid immunity.

Thus, the key takeaway from this study would be that hybrid immunity offers the best protection against infection and serious illness. This highlights the fact that infection and vaccination arent mutually exclusive options, as the debate about which-type-of-immunity-is-better suggests. The studys results clearly show that people who recovered from a past infection can also benefit from vaccination.

Finally, the authors also acknowledged several limitations of the study. These included potential misclassificationof individuals who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection but werent testedand confounding factors. Although the study corrected for potential confounders such as sex, education, and underlying health conditions, the different groups studied might differ in other characteristics that the authors didnt control for, including health-seeking behavior, that might have influenced the results.

Many factors can influence how well a person fights an infection and the level of immunity this person develops. Differences in age, genetics, underlying health conditions, and severity of the first infection can lead to variable levels of protection.

In addition, research has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 variant that caused the infection also determines the level of protection against other variants. For example, a past infection provides relatively good protection against reinfection with Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. However, the Omicron variant is better able to evade immunity from previous infection and vaccination compared to other variants so far[2-4].

In line with these observations, the study by Uuskla et al. showed that while a past infection conferred good protection against reinfection with the Delta variant, this protection vanished during the period when the Omicron variant was dominant. In fact, those who had an infection were surprisingly 25% more likely to become infected during the Omicron wave compared to those who had never been infected. In contrast, vaccinated people had half that risk (13%) during the same period.

The authors speculated that this effect might be explained by the characteristics of the Omicron variantmore transmissible and less virulent than previous variantsand by differences in the characteristics of the population exposed to this variant, including age and exposure behavior.

In summary, one cannot simply assume that a past infection provides consistent and reliable protection against future infection. Given the many factors that can influence immunity, some individuals might develop reasonably good protection, whereas others will remain susceptible to reinfection and illness. Likewise, while infection-induced immunity might offer better protection in some circumstances, vaccination might prove more protective in others.

In this context, vaccination added an extra layer of protection for people whod recovered from infection. This helps ensure the person has the best possible protection rather than relying solely on infection-induced immunity. That is why public health authorities like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that previously infected individuals also receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

It is also fair to acknowledge that, in the early stages of the pandemic, evidence about the protection provided by infection-induced immunity was lacking or very scarce. In contrast, large clinical trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, vaccine requirements were based on the best scientific evidence available at the time.

One aspect often overlooked when comparing the protective effect of infection and vaccination is the potential risks that infection inevitably carries.

For example, the study by Uuskla et al. didnt mention the severity of the first infection in the group of infection-induced immunity nor how many of them developed long-term COVID-19 complications, such as organ damage and long COVID.

But more importantly, the study only included individuals who recovered from infection, leaving out those who didnt survive (survivorship bias). During the study period, Estonia confirmed almost 2,500 COVID-19 deaths. While this number might seem small, in a country with a population of only 1.3 million, it means that roughly one in 500 people died before developing immunity.

Therefore, those willing to gain immunity through infection face various risks that also need to be considered in the risk-benefit analysis of infection-induced immunity. Health Feedback discussed this issue in a previous Insight article.

While vaccination also carries some risks, these are minimal compared to the risks of infection. Large clinical studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe[5-8]. Cases of serious adverse events, including blood clotting and heart inflammation, are very rare and dont outweigh the benefits of vaccination.

In other words, while both infection and vaccination provide immunity, vaccination does so in a much safer way because it doesnt expose the person to the risks of the disease.

There is no question that recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection can provide some protection against disease. The study by Uuskla et al. showed that this protection can even exceed that of COVID-19 vaccines. However, vaccination remains the safest strategy for acquiring immunity because it offers protection without exposing the person to the risks of infection, including serious illness, long-term complications, and death.

Its also important to account for nuances regarding infection-induced immunity and that getting infected doesnt guarantee the same protection for everyone. How much a past infection protects against future infection depends on the individual and the variant that caused the infection. This means some people who recovered from an infection could still remain insufficiently protected against the disease. But vaccination enhances this protection, reducing even further the risk of reinfection and serious illness.

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Headlines overlook risk of COVID-19 by claiming Estonia study shows natural immunity is superior to vaccination - Health Feedback

(CBS DETROIT) - The Detroit Health Department and Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) Michigan are partnering to host a free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic for residents.

According to the Detroit Health Department, the clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Detroit Healthy Housing Center at 3426 Mack Ave.

Community members will be able to get free flu and COVID-19 vaccines and they will be giving out free COVID-19 test kits for people to take home with them.

Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Mandy Cohen will also be at the event to encourage residents to get vaccinated this season.

In addition, the health department says there will be parking available behind the Detroit Healthy Housing Center's building.

For additional information, people are encouraged to contact corporateaffairs@nso-mi.org.

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Free flu, COVID vaccine clinic happening in Detroit on Thursday - CBS News

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Analysis of the Association Between BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Deaths Within 10 Days After ... - Cureus

COVID-19 vaccines should soon be available for sale in Mexican pharmacies but getting a shot probably wont come cheap.

Health regulator Cofepris announced Thursday that it had authorized the health registration of Moderna (Spikevax monovalent XBB 1.5) and Pfizer (Comirnaty Omicron XBB 1.5) vaccines, which it found complied with requirements of quality, safety and effectiveness.

As a result, the two vaccines can now be sold in Mexico.

However, the supply of these vaccines must be under medical supervision and mustnt be applied indiscriminately as they can represent risks to health, Cofepris said.

The authorization of the sale of the two vaccines comes almost three years after the first shots were administered in Mexico.

Rafael Gual, general director of the National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry, said in an interview that laboratories in Mexico will be able to import Moderna and Pfizer vaccines once the definitive health registration has been issued and they have obtained the appropriate importation permits.

If everything goes well the vaccines could start coming into the country in January or February, he said.

Only pharmacies that have permits to sell controlled medications will be able to stock the vaccines, Gual said.

Antonio Pascual, president of the National Association of Pharmacies, said that only 35% of pharmacies in Mexico will be able to sell COVID-19 vaccines.

You have to have authorization for vaccines, trained personnel and infrastructure, he said.

There has to be a special cold chain, because [with] vaccines its not just about putting them in the fridge, Pascual said.

Pfizer, a United States company, and its German partner BioNTech set the list price for their COVID-19 vaccine at US $120 per dose in September. Moderna, also a U.S. company, set the list price for its vaccine at $129 per dose.

Deputy Health Minister Ruy Lpez Riadura said in October that a COVID-19 shot could cost up to 5,000 pesos, or almost US $290 at the current exchange rate, in Mexico.

However, TV Azteca reported that it is estimated that the cost of a shot will be similar to other countries, including the U.S., meaning that doses could retail for just over 2,000 pesos.

With reports from El Financiero

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Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines authorized for sale in Mexico - Mexico News Daily

As respiratory illnesses begin to circulate this winter season, far fewer San Franciscans have rolled up their sleeves to get the latest Covid-19 shot than in previous years, according to health department estimates.

The Department of Public Health estimates that just 22.5 percent of San Franciscans are up to date on their covid vaccine this year, compared to 70 percent for the initial vaccine series in 2021.

As the fourth holiday season marked by the pandemic approaches, most are expected to travel and celebrate with loved ones as usual. And health experts encourage that, especially with the necessary precautions.

For her part, Dr. Carina Marquez, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said she will visit her pregnant sister and parents but only after she ensures everyone is up to date on vaccines.

Getting vaccinated now will boost your immunity, and decrease the risk that you are sick for the holidays, and reduce the risk that holiday gatherings are superspreader events, Marquez said, and they, of course, will boost your protection for severe disease.

Its not just covid: Rates of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are starting to increase, according to doctors and community-testing sites. Collectively known as the Big Three, these respiratory illnesses pose a danger to all San Franciscans, but particularly children, the elderly and people of color.

Respiratory viruses, including COVID, are circulating and continuing to disproportionately affect our community, said Marquez. Risk increases during holidays with more large gatherings.

Last year, Unidos en Salud, a collaboration between the Latino Task Force and UCSF, championed a triple vax campaign to protect individuals from all three viruses. Again, they advise the same.

Still, covid continues to infect San Franciscans this winter.

While lower demand for testing has likely affected data, the latest available data from the San Francisco Department of Public Health show a 7.1 percent covid positivity rate from Oct. 9 to Nov. 28. In that time period, roughly 28 people were hospitalized by covid, according to the health department.

The Mission Districts Unidos en Salud site at Capp and 24th streets reported a 24-percent covid positivity rate last weekend, Marquez said. Most of the residents are uninsured and Latinx, though the data may be too scant to tell if there are significant racial inequities.

Over at the Chan Zuckerberg BioHub, where Unidos test samples are sequenced, Karina Perlaza confirms that covid has been making up roughly 30-40 samples a month. The BioHub expects to sequence more samples in the winter months, and Perlaza is tracking whether the latest BA.2.86 variant has come to the Mission. Right now, the variant is accounting for about 10 percent of cases nationally.

In certain parts of the world, its taken over, Perlaza said. It becomes the dominant variant really quickly.

For this reason, its important people are vigilant, and people are testing and not assuming its just a cold, said Susana Rojas, a Unidos leader and head of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District. The last thing we want is another surge.

Those seeking the flu vaccine, the monkeypox vaccine or the covid vaccine which is now recommended annually can go to the Unidos en Salud site at 24th and Capp streets on Fridays and Saturdays. Paxlovid, a treatment prescribed for covid infection, can be accessed at Unidos, too.

Demand has been stronger at Unidos, which has injected some 2,000 updated vaccines since offering the new vaccinations in October, and had to turn away some 700 requests during the first few weekends because they did not have enough supply. Marquez credits the demand to Unidoss reputation: People continue to come to our site because of trust, language concordance, and convenience.

But demand is now dwindling, and turning people away is no longer the case, said former HIV nurse Diane Jones. We now have more supply than demand, Jones said.

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Covid vaccine rates lag as infection spreads - Mission Local

FILE - A person prepares a COVID-19 vaccine shot in an undated photo. (Associated Press)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (TND)

A New Zealand IT worker was arrested Sunday over accusations he was involved in "unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data involving the COVID-19 vaccine, 1News reports.

Barry Young, 56, allegedly accessed a computer network within public health agency "Te Whatu Ora" for dishonest purposes and downloaded a terabyte of data. Young then published the information online and used it to bolster claims the agency was covering up vaccine deaths.

Te Whatu Ora CEO Margie Apa said the claims pushed by the employee are misinformation.

New Zealand Health Minister Shane Reti also spoke out on the breach, calling it concerning.

We take the security of our data very seriously and are extremely disappointed at this gross breach of trust by this individual and his alleged involvement in spreading harmful misinformation, Reti said, while referring to the man as a conspiracy theorist.

Young faces up to seven years in prison for the offense. When he arrived in Wellington District Court for an initial hearing, a room of supporters rose and clapped for him, causing the judge to threaten to send them out. Young later yelled freedom before exiting the court.

Young will be released on bail until his trial at a later date.

Te Whatu Ora maintains only four deaths could be possibly linked to the vaccine of the more than 12 million issued throughout New Zealand.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week he would sue pharmaceutical company Pfizer for allegedly misrepresenting the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine. He also accusing the pharmaceutical company of "conspiring to censor public discourse."

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New Zealand health worker arrested for leaking COVID vaccine data, report says - WKRC TV Cincinnati

Police have arrested a man in connection with a mass privacy breach of Covid-19 vaccination data.

It comes after Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand launched an employment investigation, accusing a health sector worker of spreading misinformation using government data about Covid-19 vaccines.

A 56-year-old man was arrested this afternoon in relation to the unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data, police said.

He is charged with accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes and will appear in Wellington District Court tomorrow.

As the case is before the court, police cannot comment further, police said.

A man believed to be a Te Whatu Ora staff member was interviewed on a New Zealand conspiracy theory site last week. He claimed he developed a database for the vaccine rollout and quoted from that work.

Former TV presenter and conspiracy theorist Liz Gunn took to X, formerly Twitter, this afternoon to report police surrounded the whistleblowers house at 2.15pm and that an arrest was imminent.

A woman who lost both parents during the pandemic is furious peoples health data is being used to spread misinformation about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccination.

The idea that these clowns [could be] using my loved ones deaths as so-called proof that the jab kills, when it simply doesnt, is truly distressing to me.

Earlier tonight, the ministry said the staff member had no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge, and there was no evidence vaccination was responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand.

Its alleged an individual downloaded a large amount of vaccine-related information, Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa said.

The data, as published on an overseas site, appears to have been anonymised. Analysis of the released data is ongoing, but work so far has not found any National Health Index Numbers or personally identifiable information.

Apa said an injunction had been used to have information taken down from an overseas website and cyber security specialists are continuing to scan extensively for any other places where the information may appear.

We sought and were granted an injunction through the Employment Relations Authority that prevents any publication of the data to ensure that we can take all steps to protect the privacy of individuals.

An employment investigation was also underway and the person was no longer at work, Apa said.

The individual has worked in the health system for a number of years. He was authorised to access data as part of his work and was locked out of our systems as soon as we became aware of the unauthorised use, Apa said.

He had been employed since the inception of Te Whatu Ora last year.

She said the organisation took data security very seriously. It was extremely disappointed at this gross breach of trust and the alleged spreading of harmful misinformation.

We can assure the public that we are doing everything we can to respond to this incident and to safeguard their information.

She said a thorough investigation is under way.

What this individual is trying to claim about vaccines is completely wrong and ill-informed, and their comments demonstrate this. The person has no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge and appears to be trying to spread misinformation, Apa said.

Vaccination is safe and effective, and everyone should keep up to date with their shots to protect themselves, whnau and their communities.

She assured people there was no evidence whatsoever that vaccination is responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand.

We have had a team working through the weekend to respond to this incident and are working closely with other agencies, including the National Cyber Security Centre, police, Department of Internal Affairs and Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Apa said.

We have also been offering advice and support to some individual pharmacies and vaccination sites that were identified in an early video published in relation to the unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data.

Louise Richardson, whose parents were vaccinated against Covid-19 but died soon afterwards, is upset at the thought her mother and father could have been part of the data breach.

Richardson said her parents did not die from the vaccine, but because they were old and already unwell.

She understood names were taken from Health NZs Invercargill records which may have included her parents details. She believed people could use this information to reach completely wrong conclusions.

The idea that these clowns [could be] using my loved ones deaths as so-called proof that the jab kills, when it simply doesnt, is truly distressing to me.

Richardson said she was following this matter pretty closely and was absolutely furious that her late parents confidential information was likely out there in the cookersphere.

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Police arrest man in connection with alleged Te Whatu Ora mass privacy breach of Covid vaccination data - New Zealand Herald

File photo. Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The leak of Te Whatu Ora vaccine-related information online is a "devastating breach of trust", the organisation's chief executive Margie Apa says.

The health agency had resecured systems and was continuing to scan the internet and media for any further appearance of the data.

The staff member accused of leaking the data was due to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday, charged with accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes.

In a statement, Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa said the individual allegedly downloaded a large amount of vaccine-related information which was then published on an overseas site.

The person had no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge and appeared to be trying to spread misinformation, she alleged.

Te Whatu Ora found out about the breach on Thursday morning through an email an individual had sent to a number of officials, she told Morning Report.

"Basically that he had information that suggested there were excess mortalities due to the Covid vaccine that were not reported, and purported to have made connections to data that proved that, which is not true."

The data had been taken down from the overseas website and an Employment Relations Authority injunction was preventing it from being published elsewhere.

The data seemed to be "large amounts of vaccine-related information" and appeared to have been anonymised, Apa said. Analysis was continuing, but so far no NHI numbers or personally identifiable information was believed to have been released.

"We have taken action since Thursday morning to resecure our whole system, which includes resetting a whole lot of access codes.

"We're scanning the international internet and web and media to look for data that looks like ours appearing, which is how we picked up the US-based website on Friday midnight."

She said the leak was an "isolated incident" and a "devastating breach of trust".

The man facing charges had worked in a small team of specialised people who were "incredibly devastated" by what happened.

Apa said said misinformation about vaccines was particularly concerning at a time when Covid-19 cases were high.

"Rates are going up, we are seeing hospitalisations so we really want to keep promoting to New Zealanders who are eligible for Covid boosters to get them."

Disinformaton Project director of research Sanjana Hattotuwa said the situation was unprecedented for New Zealand.

"It is the most significant event or development on social media since the start of the Disinformation Project's study on what the [World Health Organization] calls the infodemic, which is the disinformation, misinformation around Covid-19."

Labour's leader Chris Hipkins said the data breach was concerning.

"All government agencies who hold people's personal information do so with a degree of trust from the public, and they need to very scrupulously make sure they're protecting that data, so this is very concerning.

"I think it's partly about people vetting," he said, as well as technological solutions as well as systems such as multiple authorisations.

Opposition health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said the response had been swift, and she would be asking questions of the new health minister to ensure the breach had been handled properly.

"New Zealanders give their health information to Te Whatu Ora in order to make sure that they are cared for appropriately. When it is used for another purpose and that purpose is vexatious, then that is of course of concern," she said. "It's a matter before the courts, I don't want to speculate."

Hipkins said the public sector would need to guard vigorously against breaches of personal and private data.

"I am pretty concerned about some of the momentum that seems to be building behind some of these conspiracy theories .... they're not grounded in fact".

He said the new government seemed to be "giving a bit of a nod to the conspiracy theorists".

"Things like their reservations about the World Health Organisation actually putting in place steps to stop future pandemics. I think that will embolden the conspiracy theorists."

Health Minister Shane Reti in a statement last week said government's decision to hold off on agreeing to health regulation amendments, which would shorten the time allowed for countries to opt out of changes to one year rather than two, was to ensure a national interest test was conducted.

"The only way to give effect to this is to formally reject the amendments. Rejections may be withdrawn by New Zealand at any time, after which the amendments would come into force," he said.

"Reserving against provides for a pause on New Zealand's response to amendments suggested by the WHO, while they're considered against a national interest test. This is an interim position to give the new government the opportunity to receive advice and fully consider the amendments."

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Te Whatu Ora vaccination data leak a 'devastating breach of trust' - RNZ

At a Pilsen schools gym, 12-year-old Sofia Lemus sat down to get her third COVID-19 shot. The seventh grader, who wore stacks of friendship bracelets on her wrists, pulled up her sleeves, saying she wanted to get the vaccine so she didnt get sick.

I was a little bit scared, because I thought it was going to hurt, Lemus said. But it didnt hurt so I was OK.

About a dozen kids received free vaccines Sunday at a clinic organized by Peoples Resource Network and the Chicago Department of Public Health at St. Procopius Dual Language School. They offered flu, COVID-19 and other childhood vaccines, except for chickenpox, to children from 6 weeks to 19 years old.

COVID-19 hospitalization rates have started to rise again in Illinois, with health officials urging residents to get fully protected with booster shots and the flu vaccine in time for the holidays. During the week of Nov. 25, about 1,000 new people were admitted to hospitals with COVID-19, a 20% increase compared with the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Illinois Department of Health reported that hospital data also shows increases in flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, across the state. The hospital admission level in Cook County is considered low, however, according to the CDC. About 500 hospitalizations were recorded in the week ending Nov. 25, a 14% increase from the previous week.

Dr. Howard Ehrman, the co-founder of Peoples Resource Network, said its important to meet people where they are when distributing vaccines. Undocumented, uninsured and African American kids and adults generally have lower immunization rates, putting them at higher risk of getting sick, Ehrman said.

Numbers are going up everywhere, including Chicago and Illinois, he said. So if you dont get vaccinated, you run a much higher risk of getting really sick, being hospitalized and dying.

The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months or older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.

Ehrman also warned of declining measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates in schools nationwide, including at Chicago Public Schools. He said many people dont realize the importance of vaccines until its too late.

We want people to reestablish the whole idea of community and the fact that we have to care about each other. Were not just here as individuals, he said. We go to work, we go to school, we go shopping, we take the bus, were part of a community. And if we dont take care of everybody, people are going to get sick and die.

Lonette Sims, the chair of the Peoples Resource Network, said they had another clinic a few weeks ago for adults, where they vaccinated about 150 people. More clinics are in the works for next year, she said. The group is pushing for the Take Vaccine to the People Chicago Ordinance, to give more resources to the Department of Public Health.

People should get vaccines to protect their health, and it can also protect people within the community who might not be able to get a vaccine, she said.

For Denis Lemus, Sofias dad, protecting his kids is top of mind. Lemus, who attends St. Procopius Catholic Church, also got a COVID-19 and flu shot at the clinic for adults.

I believe wholeheartedly in the vaccine, he said. If everyone were to get it, (infection rates) would probably slow down.

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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Chicago kids get vaccinated as COVID hospitalizations rising - Chicago Tribune

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A Successfully Treated COVID-19 Vaccine Induced Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura - Cureus