RIDOH’s Dr. McDonald Warns Unvaccinated RIers 55 Times More Likely to Be Hospitalized With COVID
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Acting RI Director of Health James McDonald gives all of Rhode Island high grades for getting their initial vaccination shots, but worries about the failure of Rhode Islanders to get boosted.
RI is leading the country on the first two shots, but now faces the challenge of getting Rhode Islanders boosted.
On GoLocal LIVE on Tuesday, McDonald raised concerns that just 39% of those eligible have been boosted.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis comes at a time when cases and hospitalizations are down in Rhode Island, but there is some worry about an emerging subvariant.
France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands are also seeing COVID infections start to rise again, aided and abetted by the relaxation of coronavirus measures and the spread of subvariant BA.2.
The Reality About Protection - 55x
“I want to give you a number and I know people don't always like numbers but you know we know when we look at our unvaccinated population compared to our boosted population if you're unvaccinated you're 55 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than someone who's boosted,” said McDonald.
“You're 55 times more likely to be admitted to a hospital with COVID than if you're boosted and to me, that's like red lights flashing warning sign,” added McDonald.
Watch the full interview above and the discussion about RI and global trends as well as the medical need to get boosted.
McDonald earned his medical degree from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, he did his pediatric residency in the US Navy, and he did his preventive medicine residency through the State University of New York. He earned his MPH from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Dr. McDonald is board certified in pediatrics and preventive medicine. His diverse career includes serving as an officer in the US Navy.
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