Young adults are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and while they’re at a lower risk of severe illness, state health officials say it’s still a good idea for them to get the shot. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says Michigan is seeing a larger proportion of their COVID hospitalizations from people in their thirties.
But, more importantly, Box says the vaccine is a way for younger people to get their lives back. “They want to be able to go to concerts, to get together in the bars and feel comfortable that they’re not going to get ill from this disease,” Box said during last week’s press conference. “We know that the more infections that we have, the higher risk we have of more mutations occurring and potentially getting a mutation that is actually worse than the concerning mutations that we have now.”
On top of that, Box said getting vaccinated will help slow the spread to those for whom the vaccine may be less effective. “They will continue to improve the atmosphere and the environment around their loved ones, their grandma and their grandpa and their parents and other people who might tend to be at a higher risk for having a breakthrough case,” Box said.
Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said state officials are looking at ways to encourage vaccination once the supply surpasses the demand. That could involve holding mobile clinics at places where people may feel more comfortable, like churches, community centers, and, as children become eligible, schools.
