Get Vaccinated to Prevent the Spread of the Delta Variant

People who are vaccinated against Covid-19 can still catch and spread the Delta variant.

President Biden unveiled strict new vaccination requirements for federal workers, along with new incentives for unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.

Excerpts from President Biden’s Remarks to Get More Americans Vaccinated:

After months and months of cases going down, we’re seeing a spike in Covid cases. They’re going up. Why? Because of this new form, this new variant called the “Delta variant.”

This is a much different variant than the one we dealt with previously. It’s highly transmissible, and it’s causing a new wave of cases in those who are not vaccinated.

We have the tools to prevent this new wave of Covid from shutting down our businesses, our schools, our society, as we saw happen last year.

The CDC recommends you wear a mask when you’re in public and indoors, like work or in a grocery store. That’s true for both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Why? Because even if you’ve been fully vaccinated and protected from severe illness from Covid-19, you could have the Delta variant in your system and spread it to someone who isn’t vaccinated.

We need to wear masks to protect each other and to stop the rapid spread of this virus as we work to get more people vaccinated.

As I’ve said from the beginning, a mask is not a political statement; it’s about protecting yourself and protecting others. Masking is one defense against the spread of Covid-19.

But make no mistake: Vaccines are the best defense against you getting severely ill from Covid-19 — the very best defense.

It’s important to understand what vaccines do and what they don’t do. Put simply, the vaccines are designed to save lives and prevent severe illness. They’re highly effective at both.

A hundred and ninety million Americans have had at least one shot. Of that group, about 90 percent are done now, and 10 percent are waiting for the second shot.

To those folks who have one shot but not the second: Go get the second shot. Even if you’re overdue for the second shot, it is not too late. Go get the second shot now. Now.

The bottom line is: If you’re fully vaccinated, you’re highly protected from Covid-19. But I also know that many of you who are vaccinated are concerned about what’s called “breakthrough cases.” Yes, some fully vaccinated people will still test positive, and some will show some symptoms of Covid-19. That’s expected with almost every vaccine there is for other diseases.

But breakthrough cases remain rare and almost all are mild cases. In fact, virtually all hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated.

I also know many of you are wondering if you’ll need a booster shot to add another layer of protection. As of now, my medical advisors say the answer is no. No American needs a booster now.

Folks, the truth is, as more people get vaccinated, we are better protected as a nation to continue reopening safely and responsibly.

But we are not fully out of the woods yet, because what is happening in America right now is a pandemic — a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Let me say that again: It’s a pandemic of the unvaccinated.

There are about 90 million Americans who are eligible to get the shot but haven’t gotten it yet. As I just mentioned, nearly all of the cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to Covid-19 today are from unvaccinated people.

Last month, a study showed that over 99 percent of Covid-19 deaths had been among the unvaccinated — 99 percent. This is an American tragedy. People are dying and will die who don’t have to die. If you’re out there unvaccinated, you don’t have to die.

For example, I know some of you are — who are unvaccinated think, “The development of vaccine was rushed, therefore I’m not going to take a chance. As a result, I think it’s not safe because it was rushed.” I understand.

But let me explain. Our top scientists at the National Institute of Health — the NIH — and across the country got to work applying decades of research — decades of research — let me repeat that: decades — that have already been done — the research — to develop the Covid-19 vaccine when it hit.

The vaccines are safe, highly effective. There’s nothing political about them.

You know, and I know, people talk about freedom. But I learned, growing up at school and from my parents, with freedom comes responsibility. Your decision to be unvaccinated impacts someone else.

Unvaccinated people spread the virus. They get sick and fill up our hospitals. And that means if someone else has a heart attack or breaks a hip, there may not be a hospital bed for them.

If you’re unvaccinated, you put your doctor and nurses at risk — the same frontline, essential workers who put their lives on the line over the past year and have gone through hell.

Again, with freedom comes responsibility. So, please, exercise responsible judgement. Get vaccinated — for yourself, for the people you love, for your country.