Skipped COVID vaccine?
You might be far more likely to be involved in a car accident if you chose not to receive the COVID vaccine. Or at least that is what a recent study that was just released this month in The American Journal of Medicine found. Over 11 million adult records held by the government were evaluated by Canadian researchers in the summer of 2021, 16% of whom had not gotten the COVID vaccine.
What did the study reveal
In comparison to individuals who had received the vaccination, they discovered that those who had not had the shot were 72% more likely to be involved in a serious traffic accident where at least one person was taken to the hospital. Researchers discovered that this is comparable to the increased risk of automobile accidents for those with sleep apnea, however it is only about half as high as that of alcohol abusers.
Non vaccinated are indirectly at risk
Unvaccinated drivers represent an elevated risk of car accidents that "exceeds the safety advantages from modern automobile engineering advancements and also imposes dangers on other road users," according to the authors. Of course, not receiving a COVID vaccine does not guarantee that a person will be involved in a car accident. The authors' hypothesis is that those who reject public health advice may also "ignore fundamental traffic safety rules."
Why would they disregard the traffic laws?
The writers list a number of possible causes, including mistrust of the government, a devotion to individual liberty, misunderstandings of common dangers, "confidence in natural protection," "antipathy toward regulation," dearth of resources, misinformation, and personal convictions. The authors indicate that the findings are significant enough for primary care physicians to think about advising unvaccinated patients on driving safety and that insurance firms may base adjustments to insurance policy on vaccination data.
Reaction to traffic signals may be altered
The scientists emphasised that because it's more likely that a driver is unvaccinated than vaccinated, first responders may want to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID when reacting to traffic accidents. The authors came to the conclusion that unvaccinated adults should exercise caution around other individuals and around traffic outside and indoors.
The takeaway
Researchers have previously looked at the relationship between behaviour and immunisation status. A study from 2021 that appeared in the Journal of Bioeconomics discovered a connection between skipping the flu shot and self-reported unsafe driving among young individuals. Over 100,000 Canadians' survey replies were looked at.