Thread by @VincentRK

Just like anti vaccine folks found Gibraltar, another place they keep pointing to is Vermont, the most highly vaccinated state.

Best for people know the facts.

1) No state has done as well as Vermont in this pandemic: fewest lives lost. They know what they are doing.

2) Vermont is the best vaccinated state and vaccinations have kept deaths low. Since June 1 by which data everyone had an opportunity to be vaccinated, deaths have continued to stay low in Vermont. But have increased in many less well vaccinated states.

3) Even Vermont is not as well vaccinated as it should be. So 72% while #1 in the US is lower than many countries. There are vulnerable people and unvaccinated people, so with delta cases will occur.

4) Vermont is a small state. Slight changes in numbers can make things look off, but it's always good to look at absolute numbers.

healthvermont.gov/covid-19/curre…

Vaccines are ~90% effective in preventing deaths in Vermont.

Rough math in 2021:
85 deaths /440096 fully vaccinated = 0.02%

165 deaths out of ~110000 eligible but unvaccinated = 0.15%

Risk of death 87% lower in vaccinated minimum. Likely >90% coz I have not adjusted for age.

Cases are rising. Because of multiple factors: delta, less masking, some waning in vaccine efficacy, but vaccines are working.

For those worried about Gibraltar, or some other well vaccinated place:

https://twitter.com/VincentRK/status/1461754577594765313

In general don't fall for erroneous comparisons. The denominators are important.

https://twitter.com/VincentRK/status/1461045946117152776

Oh and the line you see just above Vermont is Hawaii.. for context.