New Data Show Unvaccinated 15 Times More Likely to Die from COVID-19; Urgency to Get Vaccinated as ICU Admittance Hits Record High
New data from NC DHHS’
weekly respiratory surveillance report show that unvaccinated people were 15.4 times, or 1,540 percent, more likely to die from COVID-19 during the four-week period ending Aug. 21, 2021. This comes as the state hit a pandemic high on Aug. 26 with 912 adults in the ICU with COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators also reached a record high at 574.
“The vast majority of people dying with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. If you are not vaccinated please don’t wait until it is too late,” said Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services. “The authorized and approved vaccines have been through rigorous clinical trials and met scientific standards. Millions of North Carolinians have been safely vaccinated.”
During the week ending Aug. 21, 2021, unvaccinated people were also 4.4 times, or 440 percent, more likely to catch COVID-19 than vaccinated people. The difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated teens was even greater during the week ending Aug. 21, 2021, with unvaccinated people aged 12 to 17 being 6.3 times, or 630 percent, more likely to get COVID-19 than vaccinated people in the same age group.
While vaccines are the best protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death, monoclonal antibody therapy can reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and decrease the likelihood of hospitalization, especially in high-risk patients. If you test positive for COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy must be administered within 10 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms, so it is crucial to get tested early.
To get a vaccine near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish) or call (888) 675-4567. You can also text your zip code to 438829 to find vaccine locations near you.
