Unlocking COVID-19 Vaccination Success: Joining Forces for Faster Protection
Boosting Covid-19 vaccination rates is crucial as we combat the pandemic By encouraging joint administration of flu and Covid-19 shots, we can enhance public health and protect against both diseases
Since 2010, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consistently advised all individuals aged 6 months and above to obtain a flu vaccine annually. However, CDC data indicates that slightly less than half of all adults and approximately 58% of children have adhered to this recommendation, receiving the vaccination each year.
In Lynwood, California, the LA Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center diligently readies syringes filled with vaccines. During the month of October in 2022, they generously provided both members and the public with complimentary flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
The latest Covid-19 vaccine is here. Heres where and when to get itand RSV and flu shots, too
Covid-19 vaccines have a long way to go in terms of catching up. Only 21% of adults in the US have received the previous version of the bivalent booster, as it was not until this month that the updated Covid vaccine was authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration. The statistics are even lower for children, with less than 8% of those under 18 having received the vaccine.
According to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, there was a widespread belief that children were less affected by the virus compared to older individuals. This, coupled with the newness of the vaccines and the political aspect associated with Covid vaccination, contributed to a lower acceptance rate for vaccinating children.
Despite older adults displaying a higher acceptance of Covid vaccines, their vaccination rate still falls short in comparison to that of the flu. Approximately 43% of individuals aged 65 and above received the dual-dose Covid-19 booster, while two-thirds of this age group typically receive their annual flu shot.
As the United States transitions towards an annual model for updating Covid vaccines, similar to the seasonal updates for flu shots, the CEO of Moderna, a vaccine manufacturer, expressed optimism that the higher vaccination rate for the flu could also contribute to an increase in Covid vaccination rates.
"We anticipate that individuals who visit a pharmacy and request a flu shot will be encouraged by both pharmacists and doctors to consider receiving a Covid shot as well," Stephane Bancel informed CNN in a recent interview. "While the final statistics are yet to be determined, we foresee a higher number of individuals opting for both vaccines compared to the previous year."
On December 17, 2021, the GreenRoots environmental protection organization and Chelsea Community Connections distributed rapid at-home Covid-19 test kits in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
Home-based Covid-19 tests continue to be effective in detecting the virus, but there is a possibility that your test may not detect an infection. Pfizer, on the other hand, predicts a decrease in the number of Americans receiving Covid vaccines in 2022 compared to 2021, with a decline of 24% overall. However, their analysis suggests that the introduction of a combined Covid-flu vaccine in the coming years will contribute to higher Covid vaccination rates.
"Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla stated during the company's quarterly earnings conference call in January that starting in 2025 and continuing in 2026 and beyond, there is an anticipation of increased Covid-19 vaccination rates, assuming the successful development and approval of the Covid/flu combination product. He further added that the successful introduction of a Covid/flu combo could gradually align the percentage of Americans receiving the Covid-19 vaccine with those receiving flu shots."
"Similarly, Moderna has plans to introduce a combined Covid and flu shot, with data expected from an early-stage clinical trial by the end of this year. If the studies yield positive results, Moderna CEO Bancel said that the combined shot could potentially be available for the fall season of 2025."
Novavax, currently awaiting FDA approval for its enhanced Covid vaccine, is also conducting trials for a combined Covid-flu vaccine. Unlike Moderna and Pfizer, Novavax's version utilizes older, protein-based technology for both the flu and Covid vaccines.
Presently, individuals in the United States can receive both the Covid and flu vaccines during a single appointment, albeit as separate injections. This practice is highly recommended by public health officials solely for the sake of convenience.
"According to Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the CDC, for many individuals, it is more convenient to receive both shots in one visit rather than having to return. Dr. Shah suggests that getting both shots on the same day, with one administered in the left arm and the other in the right, is the recommended approach."
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Recent estimates presented at the meeting of vaccine advisers by the CDC reveal that a wide recommendation for updated Covid vaccines could potentially prevent 40,000 deaths and 400,000 hospitalizations, not only among seniors. By expanding the recommendation to include everyone aged 6 months and older, instead of just those 65 and above, an additional 15,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations could be prevented in the next two years, according to the estimates.
The higher flu vaccination rates are expected to encourage more people to receive updated Covid shots, according to public health experts. However, there is still dissatisfaction with the flu rates as well. "Reaching two-thirds of individuals aged 65 and older with the flu shot is a significant accomplishment," stated Schaffner. "However, it means that a third of the population remains under-vaccinated."
