Confirmed reports of deaths caused by vaccination are extremely rare, even with millions of people vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the CDC has not attributed this increase to COVID-19 vaccines and experts told The Associated Press that it can likely be attributed to other causes, including more severe variants of the coronavirus. Excess deaths - the difference between the observed number of deaths and the expected number in a specific period - were higher for those 0 to 44 years old in the U.S. since the COVID-19 vaccines rolled out.ĪP’S ASSESSMENT: False. “My responsibility is that this is where the science is, this is our understanding of where the state of illnesses are in terms of respiratory season, this is what you can do to protect yourself.CLAIM: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly confirmed that at least 118,000 children and young adults have “died suddenly” in the U.S. “COVID fatigue is clearly very real,” she said. Va acknowledged that many people are tired of hearing about COVID and that it may be difficult to convince people to get vaccinated. Nirav Shah, who left earlier this year to take a position with the federal CDC. Va started as director last month, replacing Dr. The state updates its hospitalization data weekly and continues to post daily positive test results, although Lambrew said the prevalence of at-home tests means those statistics are not as reliable as they once were. Is COVID-19 activity really high right now when you’re looking at hospitalizations? If your answer to this is yes, and I don’t want to risk it, if you want to wear a mask you should feel free to wear a mask.” “Am I going into a store with a ton of people. “Am I at high risk for illness?” she said. And she said it continues to be a personal decision based on many factors. When it comes to wearing a mask, Va suggested checking federal data to see if there are alerts posted for your county. Statistics show hospitalizations trending up 8.7% in the most recent week and deaths also trending up 10.5%, according to the CDC. Nationally, 1.14 million people have died of COVID since the start of the pandemic. Va also discussed the importance for those 60 and older to get vaccinated against RSV, a common respiratory virus that can be serious.īut although it’s OK to get a COVID and flu shot at the same time, the RSV shot should be administered at a separate appointment, she said. The shots are free to those with private insurance and those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, said Jeanne Lambrew, commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.įor those who are uninsured, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the Bridge Access Program to cover the cost. The shots are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and have been updated to protect against new variants. The Thursday briefing came after federal regulators approved the new COVID-19 vaccines earlier this week, meaning that many local pharmacies and clinics will have them available in the coming days. Since the pandemic hit Maine in March 2020, 3,110 Mainers have died with COVID and 7,717 have been hospitalized, according to Maine CDC data updated Tuesday. “We also know that the vaccines also reduce the chance of having long COVID.” “It’s really important that we get the vaccine because it will protect you and your family from severe illness, hospitalization and even death,” Va said. Most of those deaths are among those 50 and older and half of them are those older than 80, she said. So far this year, 296 Mainers have died with COVID-19, she told reporters at a mid-day virtual news conference. Yet she stressed the importance of ongoing vigilance, saying that updated vaccines for COVID and flu, and a new RSV vaccine for older adults, can all help prevent severe illness and death. Puthiery Va, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said with 54 Mainers in the hospital with COVID this week, Maine is in a much better place than a year ago when hundreds were hospitalized. The state’s top doctor is recommending that Mainers get the updated COVID-19 vaccination and their flu shots as we head into the fall season.ĭr.
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