The CDC said 96.7% of Americans, sixteen and older, have some type of antibodies against COVID, either from having it or being vaccinated. And LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Fred Lopez said the study found that only 77.5% percent actually had COVID.
“That’s less than one might anticipate, it certainly is a larger number than it was a year ago, but with all of these very contagious Omicron sub-variants one might have anticipated that a greater percentage of people have had natural infections,” said Lopez.
And with almost a quarter of the population with antibodies, Lopez said it indicates it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
“And if you haven’t been boosted, not too late to get boosted. But still a significant percentage of people who have not been naturally infected,” said Lopez.
The CDC dashboard shows almost 69.5% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID but when you break down Louisiana’s numbers only 53% percent of residents are fully vaccinated.
“We have a lower-than-average vaccination and booster rate. The booster rate nationwide isn’t particularly good but as a state, we are below the average,” said Lopez.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the lowest booster rates in the country.
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