Jun 22, 2021 – National COVID-19 vaccination rates are lagging behind, and the CDC may have figured out why: Young Americans are not asking to get vaccinated.
By May, 57% of adults in the United States had received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to the CDC’s weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report. The vaccination rate was highest among those over 65, at 80%. The vaccination rate was lowest among 18 to 29 year olds at 38.3%.
“Efforts to improve vaccination coverage are needed, especially among younger adults, to reduce COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” the CDC said.
But a second CDC study said that nearly 25% of 18-29 year olds said they would likely or not get vaccinated, with 23% of the group being unsafe.
“Adults ages 18 to 24, as well as non-Hispanic black adults and those with less education, no insurance, and lower household incomes had the lowest reported vaccination coverage and the least intent to get vaccinated. Concerns about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines were often cited as barriers to vaccination, ”concluded the second study.
USA delivers millions of COVID vaccine doses
The White House has announced plans to send 55 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses around the world.
Approximately 41 million doses will be distributed through COVAX, the World Health Organization’s efforts to vaccinate low-income and underdeveloped nations, the White House said in a statement Monday.
The breakdown will be roughly 14 million doses for Latin American and Caribbean states, 16 million for Asian and Pacific island states, and 10 million for African states, the White House said. The cans not delivered via COVAX are sent directly to the foreign countries.
“Our goals are to increase global COVID-19 vaccination coverage, prepare for surges, and prioritize health workers and other vulnerable populations based on public health data and recognized best practices and help our neighbors and other countries in need” , it says in the statement. “And as we said earlier, the United States is not going to use its vaccines to gain favors from other countries.”
The 55 million cans are part of the 80 million cans that President Joe Biden promised to distribute by the end of the month. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the government did not expect to hit the 80 million target because vaccines are not getting where they are needed.
U.S. COVID deaths drop below 300 per day
While the demand for COVID-19 vaccinations plummets, the national vaccination program is still scoring statistical victories.
The country is now recording an average of less than 300 COVID-related deaths per day – the first time the nation has hit this mark since March 2020. In mid-January, the nation averaged about 3,400 deaths per day.
About 11,400 new COVID cases are reported daily, up from a high of about a quarter of a million daily in early January, The Associated Press reported.
And more than 150 million people are now fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
According to the CDC, 45.2% of Americans are fully vaccinated and 53.4% have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine.
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CNN: “The government of Biden announces to share 55 million Covid-19 cans abroad.”
The Associated Press: “US Reaches Encouraging Milestones in Virus Deaths and Shots.”
CDC: “COVID-19 Vaccination Protection In Adults – US, December 14, 2020 – May 22, 2021”, “COVID-19 Vaccination Protection and Intent In Adults Aged 18-39 – US, March-May 2021.”
The White House: “Press briefing from Press Secretary Jen Psaki, June 21, 2021,” “FACT SHEET: Biden Harris Administration Announces Allocation Plan for 55 Million Doses for Worldwide Distribution.”
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