Column: We ignore vaccine health advisories at our peril – Chicago Tribune

The obituary spelled out the cause of death for the Lake Forest resident in the first sentence: The 83-year-old passed away from complications of COVID pneumonia a few weeks ago.

Despite Illinois and the federal government declaring this summer the pandemic over, folks are still dying from the virus. Others are leery and continue to question the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, and the billions of dollars made by their manufacturers.

Last week, no Lake County residents died from the deadly virus, while three were hospitalized, according to federal data. The countys vaccination rate remains high at 84%, with 95% of those 65 and older being vaccinated.

As of the week of Oct. 21, Illinois overall had 119 residents ages 20 to 59 hospitalized. The crest for death counts during the pandemic was about 16,000 the week of Jan. 16, 2021, according to federal numbers.

Twenty-five percent of the county has been vaccinated with the bivalent jab, which boosts immunity against the original COVID-19 virus, along with the Omicron variant and two subvariants. Sixty-one percent of those vaccinated are senior citizens.

So far, a mere 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children have gotten the new shots. One health professional called the vax figures abysmal.

Those numbers are at least better than a few weeks ago, when 3% of the U.S. population, about 10 million of us, received the updated coronavirus vaccine. Health experts estimate it takes about two weeks after receiving a vaccination to develop adequate immunity and protection.

The figures are minor compared to the peak coronavirus years of 2020 and 2021, when hundreds were dying of the dreaded virus. Still, Lake County health department officials continue to urge residents to get flu shots, the latest COVID-19 bivalent booster to fight current strains and vaccination for RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms, but can be deadly for infants and senior citizens. Officials say now is the time to get vaxxed to prevent serious respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommended in mid-September the upgraded vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech for everyone 6 months and older.

But Americans are disregarding the health warnings. Maybe were focused on football, or Republican presidential debates, or the Israeli-Gaza War.

We do so at our peril, health experts caution. Federal officials recommended last month that Americans get new versions of COVID-19 vaccines. Medical studies have consistently shown that COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of getting the disease and improve protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death, health officials say.

With the worst of COVID behind us, guess we forgot what happened during the pandemic. Zoom calls, in-home schooling, masking requirements, closed movie theaters and restaurants.A few folks still wear their masks, but that number dwindles daily. Unlike the nations mortality rate during the pandemic.

Health officials point out viruses change, and vaccine effectiveness can wane over time. They say it is important to stay up-to-date on our shots.

Take it from one who came down with COVID in the spring: Its no fun.

Fever and throat pain like you gargled with razor blades, or perhaps broken glass. And I was fully vaxxed. Previous bouts with the coronavirus also mean you have some immunity from infection.

In mid-August, the Illinois Department of Public Health said wastewater surveillance detected rising COVID-19 activity. That has waned, however.

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State health officials say without widespread vaccinations, we could face a tripledemic of respiratory illness caused by COVID, the flu and RSV. November and December are prime times for upper respiratory diseases.

More than three years since the pandemic began, we need to keep vigilant for our own health. Political leaders should heed counsel from public health professionals if COVID infections begin increasing this winter.

As we saw beginning in spring 2020, the U.S. wasnt ready for the major outbreak which eventually killed more than 1.1 million Americans, and more than 1,000 Lake County residents. Lets make sure were ready if another catastrophic health emergency in is our near future.

As Benjamin Franklin said, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com

X @sellenews

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Column: We ignore vaccine health advisories at our peril - Chicago Tribune