COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts Likely to Slow Down Soon

As more Americans get vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccination efforts are likely to begin slowing down soon. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals more than 42% of the US population has received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose. Andy Slavitt, White House senior adviser for COVID-19 response, said, “We’re going (to) continue to make progress, it might not be as fast as the first 50% (of the population vaccinated), I think that it’s going to be slower. But I think we’re going to continue to get there.”

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Experts say the US is facing some major challenges in getting more people to take the vaccine. Although the country is nowhere near widespread protection levels, some parts of the US have already started experiencing a drop in vaccine demand. A recent report said that by May, vaccine enthusiasm could reach a “tipping point,” and it’ll become harder to encourage people to get vaccinated.

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins recently said that many Americans who haven’t started their vaccinations yet “are still not sure that they want to take part in this amazing opportunity to put this virus behind us.” However, Slavitt mentioned that ongoing education efforts are reaching local communities and raising awareness about the vaccines. He said, “It’s an incredibly effective vaccine. When people learn those facts, we find more and more people each month say, ‘You know what, I think I’m going to get vaccinated.’”

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky reported last week that the country’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases was reducing. In the coming days, fully vaccinated Americans can expect more guidelines about what they can safely do. Dr. Anthony Fauci said a part of that guidance would be about mask use and outdoor activities.

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