The CDC says that the vaccine will prevent many people from getting infection.
"Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19."
COVID-19 vaccines protect against COVID-19. Get safety info and more.
www.cdc.gov
You're right, it does reduce severity of the illness, but it also prevents most people from getting COVID in the first place. It's not an either/or situation.
Agree, on the point of the rest of the world being unvaccinated. And yes, it's a problem that we are grappling with. Some people want the US to fund vaccination programs in the entire world. Ambitious? Yes. But it would benefit us too.
Our therapeutics are okay. They're not as effective as the vaccine and they're WAY more expensive and more difficult to get to the patient on time. Relying on therapeutics is a good backup plan, but the vaccine is plan A.