Fauci Says Americans Can Start Getting Vaccinated Around April

By: Megan Talley 2/18/21

Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

As we mark over one year since the first COVID-19 death in the United States, health officials warn that while cases and hospitalizations are going down, we are not out of the woods yet.

The new United Kingdom variant may become the dominant strain, but health officials hope current guidelines will help prevent spiking.

“The variants don’t dominate now in our country. And a recent study from the UK showed that it might be somewhat more deadly in the sense of making people sicker and certainly leading to death more. So we don’t want that to become dominant in our own country. It might become dominant because it seems to be very efficient,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

While the new COVID-19 strains from both the UK and South Africa are causing concerns, our prevention measures matter now more than ever. Wearing masks, social distancing, and getting the vaccine are all how we can get the virus under control. In a new CDC study, double masking and wearing the mask tighter on your face will better limit the spread of COVID-19 by 95%.

On the vaccine front, Fauci says all Americans can have access to the COVID vaccine by April. “When a vaccine becomes available you get vaccinated. You will not only be protecting yourself, your family, but you’ll be making a major step in a positive way to protecting the community,” says Fauci.

But here in Pennsylvania, the rollout remains slow. PA is still on Phase 1A of the vaccine plan and demand is out matching the supply.

PA currently ranks in the lower half of states vaccinating the population, currently under 10% having had the first dose. The Department of Health is now providing a tool to be alerted when it is your turn to be vaccinated and where you can make an appointment. More information can be found at https://www.pa.gov/guides/get-vaccinated/#Step1ChecktoSeeifYoureEligible

Until then, Shippensburg University will continue to offer free testing to students with the new R3 Testing Center. These new, less invasive tests will be offered at the Airport Lounge in the CUB. More information can be found at https://raiderrespect.shipnews.org/r3-testing-students/