Mayo Clinic Q&A: A race between vaccines the virus and variants

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is increasing across the U.S. as many states lower age requirements for those who can be vaccinated for COVID-19. By the end of March the U.S. will have received 240 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 173 million doses of those will have been distributed according to Dr. Gregory Poland an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinics Vaccine Research Group. "Our way out of this (COVID-19 pandemic) is getting a vaccine" says Dr. Poland. "But when theres misinformation and disinformation circulating about the vaccines it scares people." Dr. Poland emphasizes the importance of relying on credible reliable medical resources for accurate information. He also has a message for young people who think they are too healthy to get sick with COVID-19 and that they dont need a vaccine. "Even if you dont get seriously ill that doesnt mean you wont have long-term complications" says Dr. Poland. "It also doesnt mean that you couldnt spread it to a member of your family or somebody else." (Published 03/31/2021)