Overall, 64% adults in the U.S. have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, . In D.C., 58% of all residents are partially or fully vaccinated. But the nation鈥檚 leading infectious diseases expert wants more.
鈥淭he only issue, Madam Mayor, is, we’ve got to do better with younger people,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at a Friday event hosted by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Nearly 60% of the total population in Maryland has at least one dose of the vaccine. Virginia鈥檚 one-or-more-dose rate is nearly 57%, according to 海角社区app’s vaccination tracker.
Fauci acknowledged that younger people who feel invulnerable usually aren’t enthusiastic about getting vaccinated.
鈥淏ut they鈥檝e got to realize that not only do they need the vaccine to protect themselves and their family; we’ve got to protect the community,” Fauci said.
Fauci also emphasized that getting vaccinated prevents people from spreading the virus to other people.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e protecting yourself, and you鈥檙e preventing the virus from using you as a vehicle of spread. And that鈥檚 why we’ve got to get people vaccinated, particularly young people,” he said.
At 鈥�,” Bowser noted that the city declared last Dec. 24 Anthony Fauci Day to mark his 80th birthday.
鈥淚 think if you didn鈥檛 tell people which birthday it was, they wouldn鈥檛 know,鈥� Bowser said. 鈥淗ow do you stay so fit and vibrant going to work every single day?鈥� she asked.
Fauci said he exercises every day (and encouraged others to do so to the extent they can), is a repeat runner of the Marine Corps and New York Marathons and 10Ks, doesn鈥檛 smoke, rarely drinks and has a supportive wife.
鈥淏ut I think it鈥檚 also the passion for what you do to keep you excited about getting up in the morning and going to work,鈥� he said.
That doesn鈥檛 mean you need to be a doctor or scientist, he said. 鈥淎nything you do, if you get excited about what you鈥檙e doing and you鈥檙e making a contribution in some way or other 鈥� that really keeps you vibrant and young.鈥�
