Despite a COVID summer spike in Florida, vaccination rates remain surprisingly low, raising alarms among health professionals. In 2021, when the COVID-19 vaccine was first widely available, 15 million Floridians got vaccinated. However, this year, even with the ongoing COVID summer spike, only about 400,000 have received a booster.

Experts suggest that the public's perception of COVID-19 has changed, leading to a sense of complacency. Cindy Prins, an epidemiologist at the University of Central Florida, notes that people may not be as concerned about getting infected as they should be. This lack of urgency is worrisome, especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

In Florida, the COVID summer spike led to a sharp increase in cases, reaching 94,000 in July—the highest this year—according to the Florida Department of Health. The highly transmissible Omicron subvariants are largely responsible for these infections. Although these strains tend to be less severe, this might be contributing to the lower vaccination rates. Jerne Shapiro, an epidemiology professor at the University of Florida, emphasizes that certain groups, such as those over 65 or with autoimmune conditions, are still at high risk for severe outcomes.

The Drop In Vaccination Rates

The drop in vaccination rates is particularly concerning as schools prepare to reopen, potentially putting vulnerable family members at risk. Additionally, an increase in COVID-19 cases could put extra pressure on the healthcare system. Shapiro points out that rising emergency room visits and hospitalizations are likely to increase if vaccination rates do not improve.