Biotech
Thursday, November 30th, 2023 3:05 pm EDT
Key Points
- Low Covid Vaccination Rates: As of November 18, only 15.7% of U.S. adults have received the newest Covid shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed concern about the low vaccination rates, emphasizing the added protection against severe illness provided by the vaccines.
- Factors Contributing to Low Uptake: Various factors contribute to the decline in Covid vaccine uptake, including reduced urgency due to fewer Covid infections, increased immunity from prior vaccinations or infections, and the perception that omicron variants are less severe. A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) revealed reasons for not getting a new vaccine, such as a lack of concern about Covid, being too busy, confusion about risk levels, and skepticism about safety and efficacy. Political polarization, particularly among Republicans, has also fueled vaccine resistance.
- Future Outlook and Strategies for Increase: Experts and vaccine makers anticipate that U.S. Covid vaccination rates in 2024 and beyond may resemble the meager uptake of the latest shots. Some hope that new, more convenient combination shots targeting multiple respiratory viruses could boost vaccinations. However, skepticism exists about the effectiveness of combination shots in significantly increasing uptake. The FDA and CDC aim to transition toward a flu shot-like model for Covid vaccines, administered annually with updates targeting the latest variant, but concerns and the need for clear communication may impact the adoption of this approach.
Three years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. faces challenges in sustaining Covid vaccine uptake, with only 15.7% of adults having received the latest shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax as of November 18. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed concern about the low vaccination rates, emphasizing the added protection against severe illness provided by the vaccines. The decline in vaccine uptake is attributed to factors such as reduced Covid urgency, increased immunity from prior vaccinations or infections, and the perception of less severe omicron variants.
A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) revealed that approximately half of previously vaccinated adults cited a lack of Covid concern as a reason for not getting a new vaccine. Nearly 4 in 10 adults mentioned being too busy as a hindrance. Additionally, confusion about personal risk levels and skepticism about safety and efficacy contribute to lower vaccination rates. Political polarization has amplified vaccine resistance, particularly among Republicans.
Concerns persist regarding vulnerability to severe infections, especially among older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. The potential emergence of a more concerning variant could lead to another surge in cases and hospitalizations. The lack of urgency around Covid may impact vaccine uptake in the coming years, with individuals who receive the new vaccine likely to continue doing so in subsequent years.
Vaccine makers and experts anticipate that Covid vaccination rates in 2024 and beyond may resemble the current low uptake. Pfizer and Moderna assume that factors like Covid fatigue and anti-vaccination sentiment will persist. Novavax suggests that combination shots targeting Covid and other viruses, expected to enter the market in a few years, could increase vaccination rates.
Combination shots, developed by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax to address Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus, are seen as a potential convenience for patients and healthcare workers. However, skepticism exists about their effectiveness in significantly altering vaccination rates. While some argue that combining Covid and flu vaccines could increase uptake due to existing familiarity with annual flu shots, others believe the advantage of convenience might not be a decisive factor.
The possibility of a more concerning Covid variant or clearer communication from public health officials emphasizing the routine nature of Covid shots could potentially boost vaccination rates. The FDA and CDC aim to transition to a flu shot-like model for Covid vaccines, administered annually with updates targeting the latest variant. However, concerns about the seasonal nature of the virus and the time needed to establish an annualized approach to Covid vaccination remain.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/us-covid-shot-rates-are-low-and-it-will-be-a-challenge-to-boost-them.html
