Stop saying COVID is over
By Julie Garcia
Story highlights:
- More than 3,000 U.S. residents have died from COVID-19 this summer. In Texas, only 28 sites are used for disease wastewater surveillance and many government-funded health centers have stopped all COVID surveillance.
- Corpus Christi City Council members Mike Pusley, Gil Hernandez and Michael Hunter are pushing for anyone who seeks a COVID vaccine from the public health district to sign a three-page immunization consent form.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is annual now. The two-shots plus booster shot combo from 2021 is no longer protecting anyone.
Shut up about COVID being over.
This former full-time COVID-19 healthcare reporter is here to tell you that it won’t ever be “over.” Like influenza (flu) and other coronaviruses (common cold), COVID-19 is now considered an endemic disease; it’s no longer being shoved in our faces, but people are still dying.
CURRENT STATISTICS
According to the World Health Organization, more than 4,400 people died from COVID-19 in the last 28 days worldwide. And guess which country had the most deaths?
You guessed right: it was the U.S. with more than 3,000 deaths over the course of summer 2024. But that’s just the reported number.
In Texas, most municipally-funded health centers no longer require schools, daycare centers or institutions to report positive COVID cases. This includes the Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District.
On Sept. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Current Wastewater Viral Activity Levels Map reported Texas as having a “High” level of SARS-CoV-2 in its wastewater. The highest level is “Very High” with “High” directly below. Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community. Scientists and government entities can use these data to monitor levels of infections in a community.
However, Texas (population: 30 million) currently has only 28 wastewater reporting sites. Comparatively, Michigan (population: 10 million) has 46 wastewater reporting sites.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services stopped reporting active COVID-19 surveillance in January 2024. So, it’s been eight months of somewhat radio silence from the state on how many people are contracting the disease, in addition to those who are dying from complications associated with the disease or developing long COVID.
According to the CDC, an endemic categorization acknowledges the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19 will “continue to circulate and cause illness indefinitely.” Just like the annual flu shot, yearly COVID shots should be on everyone’s agenda.
ANTI-VAXXER OPPORTUNISM
Though the majority of Texans support vaccines, a vocal minority continues to push for the “weakening or dismantling” of vaccine requirements, according to a March 2024 article published by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and The Immunization Partnership. Rice is located in Houston.
These are the five major themes of vaccine opposition in Texas identified by researchers:
- Medical freedom
- Vaccine safety and effectiveness
- Discrimination
- Informed consent
- Mistrust of science and scientists
In Corpus Christi, anti-vaxxers are making strides with city council members.
On the upcoming Sept. 10 Corpus Christi City Council agenda, council members Mike Pusley, Michael Hunter and Gil Hernandez have requested to change the city-county public health district’s requirements regarding mRNA vaccines.
“Motion directing the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District be required to read and provide in writing to prospective COVID-19 mRNA gene therapy vaccine recipients the following information and sign an COVID-19 mRNA immunization consent (form) before administering the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.”
A draft of the three-page immunization consent form is attached to the motion on the council agenda. The first page has space for name, gender, address, age, county, patient ID number, birth date and age. There is a space for the immunization date, as well.
Besides the fact that all this information is enough to completely steal a person's identity, there are eight statements on the first page that show explicit consent for the vaccine administered. On the second page, there are 29 “possible adverse effects” listed for those who choose to be vaccinated, not including death. A few of the listed effects are multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, tinnitus, stroke, sepsis, Parkinson’s Disease, myocarditis and menstrual/female reproductive syndrome.
The last effect listed is Kawakaki disease, which is misspelled. It should be Kawasaki disease.
Researchers at Rice see Texas as an “ideal case study for understanding how politics impact vaccine bills” because it’s the second-largest state by population, geography, economy and birth rate. Texas’ conservative leadership over the past 30 years makes it a case study for vaccine hesitancy by political parties.
As the summer COVID spike simmers down, it’s only a matter of time before another COVID strain spreads across Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables. Do yourself a favor, and do the research surrounding COVID vaccines, including mRNA ones.
VACCINE EFFICACY
Because of anti-vaxxers’ influence on local politicians, it’s more important than ever to make informed decisions to protect you and your loved ones.
In February, the CDC reported that people who received the updated COVID vaccine were 54% less likely to contract the disease, and those who are vaccinated and then test positive are safer from its worst outcomes, like long COVID or death.
Newly updated COVID vaccines are becoming available for the fall and winter months. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get one of the updated vaccines.
Pfizer’s and Moderna’s updated mRNA vaccines were fully approved in the middle of August for everyone ages 12 and older, and each has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization (EUA) for infants and children ages 6 months through 11-years-old. This fall, the mRNA vaccines target a SARS-CoV-2 strain called KP.2.
On Aug. 22, the FDA approved and authorized the 2024-2025 adjuvant Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. An adjuvant is an ingredient added to a vaccine that helps create a stronger immune response, according to the CDC.
And remember, it’s a yearly shot now. That two-part shot plus booster combo from 2021 will not protect you anymore.
Stay safe out there! Reach out to chismecollective@gmail.com if you have any questions about the local vaccine changes being proposed or where to find vaccines locally.
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