UF Health Jacksonville CEO warns you can carry the virus even after vaccination

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – More women in Duval County are taking COVID-19 than men, which goes against the national trend. That was a discovery announced Thursday by the head of UF Health Jacksonville.

Another important observation, the CEO of UF Health Jacksonville, Dr. Leon Haley, said that even if you receive both doses of the vaccine, you can still carry the virus in your nose – which is why it is critical that you still wear a mask.

For 10 months, UF Health has been sharing with the City Council and other elected officials about what the pandemic is doing in Jacksonville.

On Thursday, hospital officials revealed that the majority of patients in Jacksonville – 54% – are women.

Data provided by the hospital shows that 23,000 COVID-19 patients are black

34,000 are white and 9,000 are another race.

Those who fell ill range from babies to 106 years old, who actually survived the disease.

The average age of a COVID-19 patient in Jacksonville is 38 years.

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Most of the concern on Thursday involved vaccines, with Haley pointing out that even with two doses protecting them from developing symptoms, people can still be contagious carriers of the virus.

“The concern is that yes, there is a possibility that you may be completely vaccinated, but technically you are still a carrier, especially in your nasal passages, which is why the current recommendation is that even after you have been vaccinated, you continue to wear a mask, Haley said.

Haley said that so far, most people who experience reactions or symptoms after vaccination take them after the second dose. But even so, the reactions are not serious.

“They last very little time. So you are looking for less than a day. And I think the only thing people need to remember is that it’s actually okay, because having side effects means that your body is responding. He’s trying to create an immune response, so it’s okay for you to have that, ”explained Haley.

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He wanted to assure people that vaccines are safe.

But even in his own hospital, employees were reluctant to be vaccinated. Only 52% of hospital staff received injections, and Haley said it was by choice, not a supply problem.

“We are still working with several members of our team,” said Haley. “It has been a lot of our nursing team that is concerned, partly because there has been, unfortunately, misinformation about the vaccine and pregnancy, and we have many nursing teams in the delivery phase who are very concerned and, obviously, we have some people who are concerned with vaccines in general. “

Haley also recommended double masking for travelers, especially those who have not yet been vaccinated.

“Until we can vaccinate enough people, it is very important that you wear your mask and two masks if you are traveling,” said Haley.