Two-Thirds Of Americans Have Had At Least One Shot Of Covid-19 Vaccines - Forbes

riariaga.blogspot.com

Topline

As vaccine mandates have become more commonplace around the country, over two-thirds of Americans have gotten at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, a number that’s expected to grow as children ages 5 to 11 will soon become eligible.

Key Facts

Over 220 million residents have gotten at least one dose, making up over 66% of the U.S. population, according to the CDC.

That number should jump significantly now that the Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon authorize the Pfizer shot for kids ages 5 to 11, who have so far been unable to receive any vaccine in the fight against the coronavirus.

U.S. adults have been slower to get the vaccine than President Biden wanted: In May, the President set a goal for 70% of U.S. adults to get at least one shot by July 4th, and that goal wasn’t met until August.

Almost 80% of Americans over 18 have now had at least one dose.

Big Number

About 110 million. That’s how many Americans still haven’t received a single shot of a Covid-19 vaccine. A decreasing but steady group of skeptics that include high-profile athletes and celebrities continue to reject the vaccines and the mandates enforcing them. Vaccine mandates and the shot itself have become widely politicized and the subject of misinformation campaigns. Red States like Florida and Texas are leading the charge against mandates and Covid-19 risk-mitigating restrictions. Last week, a Axios/Ipsos poll found that only 21% of U.S. adults think the Biden administration can convince skeptics to get vaccinated.

Key Background

Tuesday, the FDA voted to recommend the Pfizer shot for children ages 5 to 11, a crucial step in the process toward authorization. Last week, the White House released a plan for inoculating kids, which includes partnering with children’s hospitals, local doctor’s offices and pharmacies around the county, as well as in-school clinics. Last week the FDA also authorized the use of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots, and said that fully-vaccinated adults can get a booster from any drugmaker, not just the one they got their original doses of. Eligibility is expected to expand from people who are ages 65 and over, and people 18-years-old or older who live in long-term care settings, who have underlying medical conditions and who work or live in high-risk settings.