by Daniel Shen ’23
Published Oct. 16th, 2021
People have been rushing into clinics across the world to receive the Coronavirus vaccine since early 2021. The more people who get vaccinated, the higher the probability we achieve herd immunity: a setting wherein a disease can’t spread due to the vast amount of immunity in the population.
56.5% of Americans are fully vaccinated, according to Our World in Data. While this is an impressive ratio for the little time the vaccine has been available, there is still room for global herd immunity.
There are many people who are unwilling to get the shot due to personal reasons. An estimate taken in September of 2021 places this number at around 19% of the total American population; a gradual reduction compared to the 24% unwillingness in July.
The region in America with the fewest people vaccinated is South Dakota with 33% of the population unwilling to vaccinate, while Vermont has the most people vaccinated at a nearly 70% vaccination rate.
Many who refuse to get vaccinated believe that the shot infringes on their civil liberties. On the other hand, vaccine advocates argue vaccines should be required for the safety of society. While people from both sides are debating, others continue to grow sick and die.
The PawPrint