American Consequences - July 2021

COVID VACCINE 6 MONTHS LATER

Six months ago, two COVID-19 vaccines won emergency-use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

has any other country. Vaccines are the only way. In the real world, they are about 99% effective. Breakthrough infections that lead to hospitalization are very rare. The original pivotal trials showed the two RNA vaccines were around 94% effective, plus or minus 4%. In other words, these vaccines could be 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, or 98% effective. But there’s another positive effect beyond preventing infection – protection from the worst symptoms. Now, we’re seeing the real-world data for COVID-19 vaccines... So, I am going to show you two “observational” trials. They aren’t quite as controlled as formal in-hospital trials, but that’s the point: They show us what really goes on “in the wild.” For example, Cleveland Clinic took the raw number of its hospital employees (around 52,000 people) and excluded folks who already had COVID-19 (around 5,000 people), so 47,000 health care workers were followed. Of these roughly 47,000 people, only seven had taken part in the clinical trials for the vaccines. Virtually everyone was unprotected. But 70 days after vaccines started, half of Cleveland’s staff got the COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccines are now being rolled out by the hundreds of millions of units. Globally, we could see at least 5 billion people treated with two doses before we eradicate the virus. Already, these two vaccines have profoundly improved national and world health... COVID-19 vaccines are now being rolled out by the hundreds of millions of units. Globally, we could see at least 5 billion people treated with two doses before we eradicate the virus. Put simply, COVID-19 is a killer airborne infection. One in 20 people who get this virus is hospitalized, and roughly half of those who are hospitalized will die. Granted, not everyone is equal. The sickest victims tend to be older and heavier. But that’s a bigger problem than you think... See, there are 50 million Americans over 65, and roughly 100 million American adults are overweight. Until we vaccinate every American – with a few exceptions – we haven’t tamed the COVID-19 pandemic. Nor

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July 2021

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