MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Recently we’ve started seeing a major resurgence of Covid-19.
Even though it’s been four years since the pandemic, former US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said it isn’t going away, and it’s still a major health concern.
“We’re seeing the most significant summer covid wave recorded in at least two years,” said Adams. “Many people want to put covid out of their minds, but it’s with us and it’s going to be with us for a while. Unfortunately we’ve got hundreds of people still dying from the virus every week, and Covid-19 remains a significant health risk, it’s the leading cause of respiratory illness related hospitalization, and that’s regardless of your age or your health condition.”
According to Adams, even if you were vaccinated during the initial pandemic, you still could be vulnerable to the new surge of the virus.
“The data shows that protection against Covid-19 wanes over time, and additionally, we’ve got new variants circulating,” said Adams. “So people need to understand that being vaccinated several years ago isn’t giving you optimal protection today.”
So getting the most recent vaccines can help mitigate the danger of the new wave by a substantial amount.
“It can lower your risk of hospitalization by 70 percent, and your risk of long covid by about the same,” said Adms.
Finally, Adams said it’s important to know where to get your information to make sure you are avoiding misinformation regarding the vaccines.
“Do not listen to social media,” said Adams. “Do not go online for information and believe whatever it is you see. Talk to your doctor, talk to your local pharmacist, talk to the people you trust on a day to day basis if you have questions about vaccines.”
For more information regarding vaccines, check out the CDC website.
