OPINION: COVID-19 vaccine is our best shot at health and safety – By Anna M. Likos (Tallahassee Democrat) / July 25 2021
With nearly half of Florida’s population now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many are experiencing hope and safe reunions after more than a year of loss and separation. But the current calm could quickly be replaced with serious concern if vaccination rates slow and cases continue to rise. As of early July, Florida was among the top five states where COVID-19 was spreading the fastest.
But we have a simple solution to stop the spread: Get vaccinated, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
As an experienced epidemiologist, I recognize the rapid development and rollout of the vaccine for what it is: a scientific breakthrough of profound importance.
When the COVID-19 vaccines were first distributed, my thoughts turned to the early days of vaccine development. In 1886, Louis Pasteur gave an experimental vaccine to a boy who was dying of rabies. Pasteur didn’t know whether the vaccine would have a significant long-term effect on the boy’s life – all he knew was that Joseph would surely die if nothing was done.
