CCMS Board of Directors urge public to vaccinate
Collier County Medical Society Board of Directors urge public to vaccinate, most effective tool in combating the current COVID-19 surge
Dr. Rebekah Bernard, M.D.
If you have not already received your COVID vaccine, or secured a vaccine for your children ages 12 and older, now is the time to seriously consider getting the shot to protect yourselves, your loved ones, and the community.
COVID-19 positivity rates in Collier County and Florida are rising sharply, and COVID-19 inpatient hospitalizations in our area are dramatically increasing. The Delta variant and proportionally low vaccination rates in younger age groups may be contributing to a prolonged pandemic. The vast majority of hospitalized COVID patients are unvaccinated persons, aged in their 30s to 50s. COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in slowing the spread and preventing critical illness.
As of July 15, 2021, the vaccination rate in Collier County for those 12 years and older is 65%. The goal is to get as many people as possible vaccinated in our community and reach a minimum of 80% to avoid another rise in COVID cases as we are seeing now.
You may have questions regarding the safety, efficacy, and necessity of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, which is understandable. For an overwhelming majority of people, the COVID-19 vaccines are a safe, critical element to ending the pandemic. The more of us who are vaccinated, the faster we can safely and comfortably resume all activities to the fullest, while not endangering those around us. Addressing your concerns with your primary care physician or reaching out to local healthcare organizations are great ways to learn more about the effectiveness and safety.
The bottom line is this: getting vaccinated helps protect you and others around you, particularly those who may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The more of us who are vaccinated means the faster we reach population immunity, which makes it more difficult for the disease to spread and mutate, and protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people who are allergic to the vaccine.
The pandemic has been a significant uphill battle, and while we are not quite out of the woods, we can keep on track with the positive direction in which we’ve been moving with continued vaccinations. Let’s keep our community open and our friends, families, and neighbors safe.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, visit vaccines.gov, floridahea
Rebekah Bernard, MD, Collier County Medical Society Board of Directors
April Donahue Executive Director Collier County Medical Society Foundation of Collier County Medical Society (239) 435-7727 fax (239) 435-7790
April Donahue Ex. Director
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