Cutbacks in COVID-19 vaccinations worry doctors as Florida cases rise again



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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – There is a new national push to get more COVID-19 vaccines up to date in July and August.

As coronavirus cases rise again due to the spread of the Delta variant, experts say increasing the number of vaccinations may add more protection for people already vaccinated.

SPECIAL COVER: Coronavirus

In recent weeks, Florida has seen a downward trend in vaccines administered, but a slight increase in COVID-19 cases. Local doctors said 99% of positive COVID-19 cases were from unvaccinated adults.

Fabrice Lupo from France is visiting West Palm Beach with his family, and their first order of business was to get vaccinated against the virus.

“As soon as we got there we went to a pharmacy and just got the first dose so that was great,” Lupo said.

He plays it safe and wears his mask until he is fully immunized.

That’s a good idea since the CDC’s COVID-19 transmission map shows a substantial level of virus transmission for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast when a few weeks ago it was moderate.

Dr. Olayemi Osiyemi

WPTV

Dr. Olayemi Osiyemi discusses the increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida.

“The weather is very nice. Everyone is hanging out and there are also people traveling from all over the state, from the country entering, so yes, it is only a matter of time,” said Dr Olayemi Osiyemi, infectious disease specialist at Triple. Medical services.

The doctor said that even with the Delta variant, the majority of people contracting COVID-19 locally are not vaccinated.

“I would say about 99% right now. Pretty much, almost all, [have not received the vaccine]”said Osiyemi.

According to the latest report from the Florida Department of Health, the new case positivity rate is 5.2% for the week of June 25, steadily increasing since early June.

MORE: Infectious Disease Specialist Urges Vaccinations Amid Emerging Delta Variant Of COVID-19

In the past 10 weeks, vaccine delivery across the state has dropped from nearly 500,000 at the start of June to about 250,000 at the end of the month.

Vaccine doses administered in Florida in June 2021

Florida Department of Health

Statistics from the Florida Department of Health show that the number of vaccinations dropped significantly in June.

Osiyemi points out that the cases of COVID-19 infections he has seen in people who have been vaccinated are people who have not completed the full two-dose series.

“People just need to remember where we’ve been and where we don’t want to go back,” Osiyemi said.

In Palm Beach County, nearly half of the population is fully vaccinated.

Kansas City’s Michael Tabman is in town looking for accommodation. He said even with the vaccine he was careful.

“I have a lot of confidence in the vaccine, but I can’t say that the Delta variant is not for me,” Tabman said.

Experts say vaccines protect against variants and by increasing the number of vaccinations you are limiting the spread of the virus by making it less likely to mutate.



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