Covid-19 vaccine. Image courtesy: ThedaCare.
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — State health officials say as vaccine rates have slowed, the state may not reach “heard immunity” from COVID-19 until this fall.
State health officials had previously estimated that 70% of residents could be vaccinated against the disease by July, but the number of people lining up for the shots has slowed considerably in the last few weeks. Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk now estimated it could take until September or October to reach that milestone.
As of this weekend, just under 41% of residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Over five million shots have been administered.
“Heard immunity” is achieved when a majority of the population is immune from a certain disease, meaning it’s unlikely the disease will spread from person to person.
It remains unclear if COVID-19 booster shots will be required, or if a yearly shot will be required much like the flu.
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