As our battle with COVID-19 takes a turn no one expected or hoped for, experts are urging safety measures and vaccinations to amplify our community immunity against the virus. COVID-19 jargon has been a topic of conversation for many and it seems like every other uncle and aunty is an expert on the virus. Pseudo-expert that is! With misinformation and disinformation, the fight to end COVID-19 is starting to look like a zero-sum game but there have been milestones achieved in California giving us hope for a return to normal.

On the one-year anniversary of the first vaccine dose administered in the state, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly gives us an update on the state’s vaccination milestones, Omicron, and the best steps Californians can continue to take to keep themselves and their loved ones safer this holiday season.

The main question answered: How far we have come and where we hope to go next?

Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services Secretary

Where are we now? 

On the vaccines front, California administered the first dose on December 14, 2020, and one year later, over 60 million doses have been administered and over 26 million Californians have been fully vaccinated. Nearly 85% of eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the vaccine offering some protection from the virus.

Looking at vaccines from an equity lens, there has been significant progress for better access to vaccines in communities with limited resources, according to Dr. Ghaly. Over 70% of residents in these communities have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The new talk of the town, booster shots. Californians have received 6 million booster doses as of December 14, 2021. Although that is a small percentage, many are getting their boosters as you read this long and analytical piece right now.

The vaccination efforts have helped keep hospitalizations and death rates low in California. Omicron is more transmissible than the Delta variant, but Delta causes higher hospitalization rates and is more deadly based on current data. The next challenge, according to Dr. Mark Ghaly, is to focus on vaccine accessibility and safety measures to prevent spread. The goal is to have a clear narrative and have trusted community leaders share the same message in unison: stay safe and get vaccinated!

On the safety measures front, California is reinstating the mask mandate and experts are strongly urging everyone to follow safety measures to help prevent further spread of the virus. The goal is to keep our guard up in the period of uncertainty, according to Dr. Mark Ghaly. 

How do we navigate the holiday season?

The holidays are a festive time where the whole world is celebrating the cool temperatures with family. Christmas trees, family dinners, parties, hot chocolates, and traveling are some of the activities we are accustomed to during the holidays. This year, however, the holidays will look a little different.

The pandemic has been a tough time for many and 2021 has been no stranger to struggles for many communities. We urge everyone to be a little more compassionate towards others as we don’t know what’s behind the smiling faces. Let’s work together to create a safe and warm environment.

This holiday season, California is going to increase safety measures. Dr. Ghaly points out that there was a surge in cases after Thanksgiving, however, it wasn’t as severe as experts had forecasted. In the interest of public safety, mask mandates will be reinstated and urged for indoor settings. Experts recommend that people traveling to California get tested 3-5 days after entering the state. Mega-events will require a negative test result or proof of vaccination.

Dr. Ghaly also emphasized the importance of vaccines and testing during the holiday season. He affirms that if there is a get-together happening, get tested for COVID-19 and watch for symptoms to avoid a potential spread. He also echoed one message: get vaccinated!

Debunking Misinformation

There is no doubt that the vaccines do work. The technology behind the COVID-19 vaccines can be defined as miraculous. In an ideal world, vaccines can be produced extremely fast and would be 100% effective against the common enemy. However, the reality is that the current vaccines were developed relatively very quickly and are highly effective against COVID-19. The boosters can be seen as a “Superman” shot that would enhance our protection against the new variants. Don’t worry, it’s not kryptonite.

Many people with common sense understand the importance and effectiveness of vaccines. Most Californians understand the individual responsibility every citizen has in this collective fight against the virus. However, some “over-educated” people living in a meta-world downplay the effects of COVID-19 and indulge in spreading misinformation. Since when did safety tools like masks and vaccines become political statements?

Dr. Ghaly suggests that the only way to combat misinformation and encourage more vaccinations is by having the hard pill conversation with the vaccine-hesitant groups. This can be done by community leaders, family members, trusted health experts, and anyone with trust and proper information. Dr. Ghaly asserts that every Californian who isn’t vaccinated is vulnerable and impacts overall public safety. This statement also applies to children. A very baffling data point shared, California lost more children to COVID than to any other cause.

For parents who are on the fence about vaccinating their children, Dr. Ghaly suggests finding a trusted health provider and getting the real information behind vaccines. If the concern is relating to side effects, many vaccines that are required for children to attend schools have side effects for decades. Children also receive a lower dose of the vaccine than adolescents equating to a lower chance of myocarditis. Lastly, getting the vaccine and dealing with the side effects is significantly better than getting the COVID-19 virus itself which can lead to loss and grief.

No vaccine is 100% effective. The COVID-19 vaccine proved to be safe and effective in millions and millions of inoculations globally. The debate on vaccines can be boiled down to a decision between two sides. Would you rather receive a safe, effective, free, and simple vaccine that can help prevent serious sickness, significantly lower the chances of hospitalization, and/or death; or would you rather deal with a sickness that can debilitate or even silence you and your livelihood for good? The choice is clear and people with common sense know better.