August 2, 2021 – The United States hit a major vaccine milestone on Monday as 70% of adults have now received at least one dose.
According to the White House COVID-19 data director Cyrus Shahpar, more than 468,000 cans were delivered on Monday.
President Joe Biden’s goal by July 4 was that all adults receive at least one dose. It took just under an additional month to accomplish this.
The news comes at a crucial time as the Delta variant continues to advance.
Each person infected with the COVID-19 delta variant transmits the virus to an average of 5 unvaccinated people – more than double the expected number of infections caused by each case of the original strain, the CDC said.
A person infected with the alpha strain of COVID-19 will infect an average of 2 unvaccinated people, CDC director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, said during a news conference at the White House Monday.
The greater number of infections caused by each Delta case is another example of its high communicability, Walensky said, and the importance of vaccination during a further surge in cases.
“I want to start today by simply stating the obvious: while we are desperate to deal with this pandemic, COVID-19 is clearly not done with us yet,” said Walensky. “And that’s why our fight has to last a little longer.”
On Saturday, the 7-day daily average for new cases was 72,000 per day – a 44% increase from the previous week and higher than last summer’s high, she reported. The 7-day average of hospital admissions rose 41% to 6,200 per day, and the average of daily deaths was about 300-25% more.
Despite the increase in cases, the COVID-19 response team has positive news to report: In the eight states with the highest COVID-19 case rates, the number of people newly vaccinated has increased an average of 171% over the past 3 weeks.
The average daily number of people newly vaccinated in Louisiana is up 302%, with the Mississippi average increasing by 250%, said Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 response coordinator. Alabama and Arkansas saw gains of 215% and 206%, respectively.
“This increase in vaccination rates in states that have lagged is a positive trend,” Zients said. “Americans see the risk and impact of not vaccinating and are responding with action. And that’s what it takes to get us out of this pandemic. “
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