The summer surge of COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be slowing down — instead, a key indicator for tracking the spread of the virus has increased, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an update shared Friday, official data showed wastewater activity for COVID-19 is now at a “moderate” level nationwide, up from “low” the previous week.
Wastewater levels for the virus are currently the highest in the Western U.S., the data also showed. States in this region showing high levels include: Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah.
Vaccination rates would be my first guess as well. Individually vaccines reduce the severity of symptoms, which makes it less likely for people to notice and report that they have COVID. The vaccine also reduces the viral load spread by individuals, therefore making it less likely for them to spread the virus, and it also makes it less likely for you to become sick if you come into contact with the virus.
Considering the difference in population density between the USA and The Netherlands (NL is way denser) I’d say this is a good demonstration of how vaccines are miracles of modern science.
Healthy people under 65 in the US are not allowed any more Covid boosters until an updated version comes out and most people who were keeping up with it have now run out of protection.
To be fair, that’s still significantly more than Germany.
In Germany you get exactly two boosters until you are 60 if you are not at risk. Unless you pay for yourself of course.
Wow that’s so weird. In France you can get a free booster every 6 months, whatever your age.
Flu vaccine is not free below 60 though. (It’s 30 euros I think, something like that).
Fair, but in the US you can’t even pay yourself now. You just aren’t allowed. RFK decided for us that the risk of vaccination outweighs the risk of COVID.
This is what I initially thought but my friend said I could still, say, pay out of pocket. I’m hearing conflicting statements.
This is what I was told at Kaiser, then I went to a private pharmacy to double check. They aren’t allowed to give it, regardless of insurance or out of pocket.
If you lie and say you have an organ transplant or some equally serious immunological condition you can get it, and they aren’t allowed to ask for proof.
You will have to pay out of pocket though, and it will be awkward explaining why you don’t have insurance while having a bankrupting condition.
I believe you. Do you know if this applies to all states? If worse comes to worse I’m willing to travel to get my vaccine.
I was told by both that it’s a CDC issue, not a company or state issue. Besides leaving the US, lying is the way to get it.
Fair, that sucks.
Though US-Americans should be somewhat used to paying for medical services. Over here it is definitely not common to pay for vaccines. I don’t even know how much paying for a COVID booster is and haven’t found anything since no one is wondering this.
As a comparison, the HPV vaccines are 480€ if you are 18 or older (which, again, hardly anyone pays/is able to easily afford). I wouldn’t be surprised if a COVID booster was like 50€.
Her in Australia, you can get one every 12 mo this if you wish. It’s recommended if you’re high risk. Kids, it is no longer recommended or available unless high risk.