A new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from 13 states and linked over 600,000 cases of COVID-19 from April through mid-July to unvaccinated people.
The large study found that unvaccinated people are 4.5 times more likely to contract COVID and ten times more likely to end up hospitalized.
“As we have shown study after study, vaccination works,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a press briefing on Friday (September 10). “The CDC will continue to do all we can do to increase vaccination rates across the country by working with local communities and trusted messengers and providing vaccine confidence consults to make sure that people have the information they need to make an informed decision.”
The U.S. has been making progress with getting people vaccinated. According to the CDC, 73% of those eligible to be vaccinated have received their first dose, and 62.7% are fully vaccinated.
“The bottom line is this: We have the scientific tools we need to turn the corner on this pandemic,” Walensky said. “Vaccination works and will protect us from the severe complications of COVID-19. In addition, it will protect our children and allow them to stay in school for safe in-person learning.”