Cincinnati.com: COVID-19: When will Ohio gain protective herd immunity from vaccines? Doctors can't be sure
UC expert expresses concern over 'pockets of resistance' to COVID-19 vaccines
In a story on when the people of Ohio can expect to gain protective herd immunity from COVID-19 vaccines, Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine was one of the sources Cincinnati.com turned to. Fichtenbaum says he's concerned about recent uptick in cases and said the vaccine campaign needs to pick up speed and reach more Ohioans who are reluctant to get the shot.
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Joe Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
“My fear and the fear of infectious disease experts is that we need a higher amount to really create the appropriate herd immunity,” Fichtenbaum said. “But we’re hitting significant pockets of resistance with people who are not comfortable with being vaccinated. It’s a little bit hard to convince people who have fear not to have fear.”
Fichtenbaum also said, “If we get to 75% vaccinated in all communities, we’ll be OK. My fear is that we’ll be at 90% in some places and 40% in some others, and with the intermingling of humanity throughout the world, it won’t be enough for perfect herd immunity.”
Fichtenbaum was also interviewed by Bill Cunningham of 700 WLW in a segment on concerns over COVID-19 cases spiking in some states. Listen to that interview here.
Lead photo/Getty Images
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Media coverage and word of mouth extends DAAP art exhibit to...
April 19, 2024
Due to popular draw, the art exhibit "Rediscovering Catharina van Hemessen’s Scourging of Christ: Women Artists, Patrons, and Rulers in Renaissance Europe" has been extended at the DAAP Library through April 30.
Alabama.com: How a new self-test for HPV could be a game changer
April 19, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Leeya Pinder was featured in an Alabama.com/Reckon article about how self-testing for HPV could make preventative care more accessible to those facing the most barriers.
WVXU: Test your word puzzle skills with a Cincinnati...
April 18, 2024
Cincinnati edition host Lucy May discusses the history and new found popularity of word games with Michael Griffith, professor English. Griffith is a writer, but also develops word games for publication.