As high-income countries move into post-vaccination life with vaccination rates of over 80 doses per 100 people, only 1.1 per cent of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.
Vaccine hesitancy is declining in Canada but hasn’t disappeared. New research shows many of those initially less hesitant have since been convinced. With continued efforts, others can still be reached.
Vaccines can’t provide 100% protection, so it’s not a failure or surprise when some vaccinated people get sick with COVID-19. The good news is their cases are much less likely to be severe or fatal.
Patients with more symptoms during initial infection – particularly breathlessness, chest pain or abnormal heart sounds – appear more likely to experience lasting illness.
Once we achieve herd immunity, people who are not vaccinated benefit indirectly from the immunity of those around them. But it’s not easy to say exactly when we’ll reach this threshold for COVID-19.
Parents face tough choices since young kids can’t yet get COVID-19 vaccinations. An infectious diseases expert offers guidance on navigating summer activities.
The evidence shows the main way COVID-19 spreads is through the air. I propose 3 steps Australia needs to take to protect people from infection risk and other indoor air hazards.
Notable events — including the COVID-19 pandemic — have revealed the weaknesses in global supply chains. Companies need to ensure the resiliency of the manufacturing and distribution systems.
NSW’s successful test and trace strategy controlled the Crossroads Hotel outbreak a year ago without needing a stringent lockdown. But this has not worked as well against Delta.
As Los Angeles County again mandates masking indoors – even for the fully vaccinated – local health officials in the U.S. are closely eyeing their own COVID-19 vaccination and infection rates.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne