There is a lot going on. Here is your COVID-19 update for September 24, 2021. The United States deaths are more than the 1918 Flu, which originated in the spring from chickens (genes of avian). The Delta variant is more transmissible than the Spanish flu. The Spanish flu of the 1918 pandemic was more deadly than the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Vaccine Hesitancy
For various reasons, there are still people who do not want to get vaccinated. Some reasons are personal, political, and some have to do with misinformation and health illiteracy. Whatever the case may be, research has shown that those who do not take the COVID-19 vaccine, are at high risk of hospitalization and death.
This is the case even if they had the COVID-19 infection in the past. Of course, this is not medical advice, but getting at least one dose after the COVID-19 infection would give you protection. In fact, science has shown that one shot after a COVID-19 vaccine would protect you even more than two dosages without the infection.
Experts are predicting that we all will eventually get COVID-19. They say this because it’s so transmissible and it will eventually become endemic. However, it’s important to make sure you are not exposed to COVID-19 until you at least are vaccinated for the best results.
No doubt, getting vaccinated and practicing all the health measures will protect you and your family. Perhaps, your family members are not vaccinated, help them to get the best choice for them from their healthcare provider.
Historic Pandemic
The Spanish flu pandemic ended in 1919 without a vaccine, but people continued to get the Spanish flu during the flu season until around 1958. According to an article in the Washington Post on September 3, 2020, “Over time, those who contracted the virus developed an immunity to the novel strand of influenza, and life returned to normal by the early 1920s”.
The post that was written by Teddy Amenabar stated that this account was “according to historians and medical experts.” Teddy went on to say “reports at the time suggest the virus became less lethal as the pandemic carried on in waves.”
At that time children 5 years old, young adults 20-40 years old, and 65 years and older had the highest deaths. There were 675,000 death due to the Spanish flu and currently, according to John Hopkins University tracker, there are 681, 199 deaths in the US.
Booster Update
The Pfizer booster has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for people 65 years old and older. People 18-64 could get the Pfizer booster if they are at high risk of severe illness or have frequent institutional or occupational exposure.
So, who is included in this FDA recommendation? Medical and health care workers, teachers, daycare staff, grocery, and fast-food workers, other essential store workers, homeless people, or prisoners.
This means that the Pfizer booster will be available for those stated above after 6 months of being fully vaccinated. The United Kingdom is requiring its citizens to wait at least 8 months before requesting a booster.
The recommendations for the Johnson & Johnson or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are not available yet. Experts believe that the recommendations for the other COVIS-19 vaccines should soon follow.
Conclusion
We have learned from the Spanish flu in 1918, or have we? Interestingly enough, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic was resolved without a vaccine, but cases continued for 38 years.
Until we can get just about everyone vaccinated and boosted as needed, we won’t have the success to end this pandemic.
