PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Mask mandates are being lifted all over the country, but for those not vaccinated, there is still a great risk.
The CDC continues to warn those not yet vaccinated about their risk for serious illness, and many who have chosen not to be vaccinated understand that risk and accept it. For adolescents between 12 and 17, the risk is present and clearly dangerous — but they have only recently been given the opportunity to get shots.
Recent statistics show that COVID-19 can attack aggressively in that age group, despite popular belief otherwise. Of that age range who are hospitalized for COVID-19, 5% end up in the ICU.
Fortunately, last month more than 600,000 teens were vaccinated, and side effects were exceedingly rare.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.