Misleading: COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective as the recovery rate is high in the U.S.

By: Ishita Goel
December 20 2021

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The recovery rate cannot be an aspect to assess the effectiveness of vaccines. The vaccines have shown a positive result in controlling the infection.On the one hand, the governments globally are working to strive for 100 percent vaccination. But, on the other hand, disagreements against governments actions are flooding to stop individuals from getting vaccinated. One such ongoing dispute is that the COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective as the recovery rate of COVID-19 infection is high; hence there is no mandate required for vaccination. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines portrays that the vaccines may not be 100 percent effective but are capable of keeping us and those around us safe. With the emergence of new mutations, vaccines are being tested for their efficacy, and scientists are studying them regularly. Although, this does not mean that the vaccines are ineffective. Reports from various countries with ongoing vaccination drives have shown positive results; there is a reduction in deaths, the severity of cases, and other aspects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) suggests that a fully vaccinated person may develop symptoms but are less likely to develop severe illnesses than unvaccinated individuals. It also mentions that vaccinations protect against symptoms and can help reduce the risk of illness spread. In June, even a report by the Associated Press reported "analysis of available government data from May" that "breakthrough" infections are less than 1,200(1.1 percent) in fully vaccinated people of more than 107,000 hospitalized. That is nothing but 99 percent of COVID-19 related hospitalizations or deaths were among people who had not taken a COVID-19 vaccine. In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a vaccine mandate to vaccinate healthcare workers, frontline workers, federal workers, and contractors. Further, Biden instructed the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) to issue a rule under Emergency Temporary Standard(ETS) on vaccinating all the employees with a workforce of 100 or more and holding a regular testing procedure. The students and teachers have been instructed to go through regular testing. Biden expanded the testing cycles and increased the use of masks strictly. People have begun to question their rights as a result of these mandates. They believed that the Biden administration was imposing regulations on them. After a lawsuit was brought before the Supreme Court, the mandates were placed on hold. Hearings are still ongoing, with a verdict expected in November 2021. Although the recovery rate in the U.S. is 98 percent, the Worldometer depicts that the deaths rates have also increased. Furthermore, the recovery rate of COVID-19 is calculated based on a number of parameters, and recovery in serious cases, medium or mild cases, or those with co-morbidities is not taken into account. Hence, It is misleading to assume that high recovery rates render the vaccine ineffective. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.