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It’s time! As we move through the month of September, we are experiencing a third wave of COVID-19
infection. The delta variant of COVID-19 is leading to an increase in cases and hospitalizations.
How do we finally get back to normal? How do we return to living our lives like we
did before February 2020?
The answer is simple: Vaccination.
It is time for all members of our workforce and our community to take the jab! The
FDA has formally approved the Pfizer vaccine. This approval indicates that the Pfizer
vaccine is overwhelmingly effective and safe. Approval of the Moderna vaccine will
follow shortly. No longer can people say “the vaccine is experimental” as justification
for refusing vaccination. But people are now saying, “even if I get the vaccine I
can still get COVID, so why bother?”
It is important to understand the facts. New York State recently published information
on COVID-19 cases seen from May 3–July 25, 2021, indicating that the effectiveness
of vaccination against infection for all New York adults remains at nearly 80 percent.
The data also indicates that even with the delta variant, vaccination continues to
be highly effective in preventing infection. More importantly, vaccine effectiveness
against hospitalization in New York was 95 percent during this time period. It is
clear that the vaccines prevent infection at a high level and prevent severe infection
almost universally.
You are all well aware that COVID-19 has taken its toll on our hospital and our community.
We are tired of seeing the devastation and we all want to get back to “normal.”
It’s time! Please do the right thing: Roll up your sleeve, take the jab. Protect yourself, your
family, your patients, and your community.
To read the entire September 2021 Edition of The UHB Update, click here.
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