The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a study showing the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents aged 12 to 18. The numbers are very promising.
The study was conducted between June and September when delta was the predominant strain of the virus.
The study found the Pfizer vaccine was 93% effective at preventing hospitalization.
While cases are dropping around the country, Arizona’s numbers remain comparatively high. And people in this age range have lower vaccination rates than other age groups.
Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health at the University of Arizona in Phoenix, says politicization and misinformation contribute to the lower vaccination rates.
“It’s really important to know your source, know where it's coming from. And realize if it’s not something that's aligned with, you know the CDC, the WHO, and the Arizona department of health services, and other known public health authorities or public health experts, then it’s not something that’s real. It’s fake,” he said.
Marvasti added the results from the study are compelling, even with the more contagious delta variant.
→ COVID-19 shot not the only vaccine facing misinformation
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Shad Marvasti's name.
