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Protecting our lives and well-being in Flint-because the dangers of COVID-19 are still too big

Written by Tanya Terry

There have been 125,234 total COVID-19 cases in Genesee County and 2,001 deaths. Although the CDC Transmission Risk Level in Genesee County was low as of February 27, four individuals died due to COVID-19 between February 18-24. These individuals were not merely statistics. The individuals who are still dying due to COVID-19 are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, children, friends and neighbors. They matter to their loved ones, and their lives and deaths affect people in our community.

The higher rates of infection among people of color throughout the pandemic likely reflect increased exposure risk due to working, living, and transportation situations, including being more likely to work in jobs that cannot be done remotely, to live in larger households and to rely on public transportation, according to the KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) website.

KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) is a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. The website reflects data updated in mid-2022 gathered from multiple sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Data Tracker, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Response.

These disparities are an expression of how structural racism has harmful effects on people’s health, according to Dr. Abdul-Mutakabbir. Abdul-Mutakabbir, a Black doctor, spoke out about this issue in the article “Addressing Inequities Can Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Rates” by By Kate Baggaley in Pharmacy Practice News. She said this structural racism can be seen through inequalities in education, occupation and access to healthcare, as well as chronic depression, anxiety and stress.

Barriers to vaccine uptake can be related to accessibility, technology, transportation and language, according to Abdul-Mutakabbir.

She elaborated by also stating limited access to Wi-Fi, cellphones and other technology can make it more difficult for people to locate sites where they can receive vaccines.

In November 2022, adults ages 18 and over who received a bivalent booster had 16 times lower risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated people! Adults with a bivalent booster also had three times lower risk of hospitalization compared to those vaccinated without a bivalent booster, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

Still, the percent of eligible residents in Genesee County having received all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine remains well under 50% for all age groups. This includes all adult age groups.

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is still listed first on the CDC website’s list of prevention measures. In addition, the FDA decided in late January boosters and vaccines will probably work similarly to how annual flu shots do.

Pharmacists have given more than 60 million COVID-19 vaccinations. This makes the number of vaccinations administered by pharmacists more than that of any other healthcare provider category. But there are many other places to get for adults and children to receive primary and updated vaccines, including health centers.

The public health emergency ends in May and the federal government will no longer cover the cost for all vaccines. Details on patient assistance programs expected to be offered by Moderna  and Pfizer-BioNTech at this time remain unclear.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you now, click here: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

In addition to basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, CDC recommends the following prevention actions at all COVID-19 Community Levels.

Sources: Center for Disease Contol and Prevention (CDC) website, KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) website, “Addressing Inequities Can Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Rates” by By Kate Baggaley in Pharmacy Practice News and “COVID Vaccines in 2023: What We Know and What We Don’t” by Jessica Rendel on the CNET website

 

 

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