COVID-19 vaccine uptake is only at 14%, says CDC

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Based on National Immunization Survey (NIS) data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said only about 14% of adults in the U.S. have received an updated COVID-19 vaccine as of November 4 – a much lower rate than desired.

"COVID-19 vaccine uptake is lower than we'd like to see, and most people will be without the added protection that can reduce the severity of COVID-19," the agency said.

Hidden in that 14% is a lot of variability, the agency said. For example, the vaccination rate is quite a bit higher for people 65 years and older, at about 30% – which is important, according to the CDC, since older people are much more likely to be hospitalized and die from COVID-19.

The bad news is that more than two-thirds of older adults have not gotten an updated COVID-19 vaccine – protection that is needed, the CDC said.

One trend that arose from the data involved disparities in vaccine uptake by race and ethnicity. The proportions of non-Hispanic Black adults (8%) and Hispanic adults (8%) who received an updated COVID-19 vaccine were nearly half that of white adults (15%), the numbers showed. This is due to many social, geographic, political, economic and environmental factors that create challenges to vaccination access and acceptance, the CDC said.

Among other findings: Adults without health insurance (4%) were much less likely to report vaccination than people with insurance (15%); adults with incomes below poverty (9%) got vaccinated at about half the rate as those with incomes over $75,000 (18%); adults in rural areas (10%) were less likely to have gotten an updated COVID-19 vaccine than those in urban (15%) and suburban areas (14%); vaccination uptake was about the same for straight adults as those who reported they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or other (14% for each), and about 4% of children were vaccinated.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

The CDC highlighted various efforts to remove barriers to vaccination, including partnering with providers and community-based organizations to build vaccine confidence and awareness.

The agency is also working to expand vaccine access through the Bridge Access Program, which provides COVID-19 vaccines for adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all coronavirus-related vaccine costs.

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, meanwhile, helps provide vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines) to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This, the CDC said, helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. The VFC program provides vaccines to half of U.S. children, including children who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian or Alaska Native.

Even though the federal government is only able to provide COVID-19 vaccines for some populations this year – because COVID-19 vaccines are now provided through regular commercial channels – the CDC is developing messages and communication campaigns designed to better reach people who are disproportionately impacted.

THE LARGER TREND

In September, the Food and Drug Administration approved and authorized updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target current variants. The updated mRNA vaccines are each approved for individuals 12 years of age and older, and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age.

The CDC then recommended that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

The recommendation by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices follows the FDA's actions to approve and authorize the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com