Look around you. Most TV commentators and other sources of information are looking at the “big picture” and so when they report on levels of immunization now achieving a “healthy” level of 50% of the overall population, there are some variances by state, and within states, that could be making a difference for your level of exposure.
You catch COVID-19 from the people around you
Remember, the virus spreads mainly between people in close contact, typically within short range. According to WHO, a person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Every indication is that breathing in infected air coming from a person with the virus is the greatest danger. Masks and social distancing are great and necessary defenses, but are not perfect. So the level of inoculation of the people around you can have a major effect on how vulnerable you are, whether or not you have had the vaccine.
Vaccination is a preventative measure, not a cure!
Statistics are now coming out that for people vaccinated more than six months ago, the vaccine’s effectiveness at stopping an infection can have fallen as low as 16%.
Look around – how well is your state doing
The initial target population for vaccination was the older “at risk” grouping of people over the age of 65. While the national average for at least one jab for this age group is now 91.3%, there are a number of states that fall below that level:
| State | Age < 18 | Age 18-64 | Age 65+ |
| West Virginia | 10.3% | 45.5% | 81.2% |
| Mississippi | 5.4% | 40.4% | 82.4% |
| Arkansas | 9.0% | 49.2% | 83.4% |
| Alabama | 5.7% | 43.9% | 84.6% |
| Wyoming | 6.6% | 42.8% | 85.2% |
| Tennessee | 7.5% | 47.6% | 85.5% |
| Louisiana | 5.8% | 43.0% | 85.6% |
| Missouri | 9.8% | 51.6% | 86.4% |
| Georgia | 9.3% | 51.0% | 88.4% |
| Indiana | 9.7% | 51.1% | 88.7% |
There are even sharper differences in the main population grouping of age 18-64. While some states, like Vermont and Massachusetts have managed to get over 80% of this group vaccinated, in ten states, the level is still lower than 50%:
| State | Age < 18 | Age 18-64 | Age 65+ |
| Mississippi | 5.4% | 40.4% | 82.4% |
| Wyoming | 6.6% | 42.8% | 85.2% |
| Louisiana | 5.8% | 43.0% | 85.6% |
| Alabama | 5.7% | 43.9% | 84.6% |
| West Virginia | 10.3% | 45.5% | 81.2% |
| Tennessee | 7.5% | 47.6% | 85.5% |
| South Carolina | 8.6% | 48.0% | 92.8% |
| Idaho | 0.3% | 48.3% | 89.4% |
| North Dakota | 7.6% | 48.9% | 88.9% |
| Arkansas | 9.0% | 49.2% | 83.4% |
Source:https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine-tracker
What can you do about it?
We strongly support the campaign to get the maximum possible number of people vaccinated wherever they live. But logistics, distances and availability will turn this into a lengthy process. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to boost the level of your personal protection. Virus-fighting nasal spray Enovid will work to fight any airborne virus droplets you encounter when you are mixing with people in generally confined spaces. Enovid is available over the counter.
A puff in the nostrils will add to your armor.
