This spike in demand, which is expected to follow last week's federal recommendations on booster shots, would mark the first significant increase in months. Over 70 million Americans are still unvaccinated, despite offers of lottery prizes, food and gifts, and pleas from exhausted healthcare workers. The average number per day has risen to over 1,900 in the past weeks.
According to federal and state health officials, current supplies and steady production can easily be accommodated by those who are seeking boosters or first vaccinations. This will avoid a repeat of the slow rollout COVID-19 vaccines in the country earlier this year.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said Tuesday that he hopes that there is enough interest in boosters to justify the need for more vaccines. Tuesday's statement was made by Jared Polis. "That's not where we are today. There are many vaccines available.
The robust supply of vaccines in the U.S allowed President Joe Biden to promise 500 million more COVID-19 shots from Pfizer to the world. This would double the United States' global contribution. United States and other countries have been urged by aid groups and health organizations to increase vaccine access in countries where the least vulnerable have not had one.
States must be careful not to order too many vaccines and let them go waste. Many states, including Idaho, Kansas and others, with low vaccination rates have either thrown away thousands of doses or struggled to use vaccines that are nearing expiration.
Although most vaccines can be left unopened on shelves for several months, the clock begins to tick once a vial has been opened. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, vaccines can only be used for 6-12 hours depending on their manufacturer.
Moderna vaccines are available in vials that contain 11 to 15 doses. Johnson & Johnson vials can contain five doses, while Pfizer vials can hold six doses.
Karen Timberlake, Wisconsin's health secretary said that "we are going to see more dosages that go unutilized over time." They come in multidose files. They are not packaged in neat, single-serving containers.
According to state health officials, they have made every effort to request only the supplies that pharmacies and health care professionals will need. Since the vaccines were widely available in spring, those numbers have declined.
However, U.S. officials are hoping that some unvaccinated people will reconsider their mind and try to ensure enough vaccines are available for all Americans.
This delicate balance act can cause consternation across the globe. The U.S. has unused vaccines, while other countries such as Africa cannot get enough vaccines.
Jen Kates, senior vice-president and director of global HIV policy and global health at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said, "Somebody sitting in an country without many resources to access vaccines. I'm seeing people in America able to walk into pharmacies and get that vaccine. And choosing not to.
Dr. Marcus Plescia is the chief medical officer of Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. This association represents all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Plescia said that officials expect that there will be sufficient COVID-19 vaccines on hand and that manufacturers can supply more to meet the needs of the nation.
He said that states had tried to plan as though everyone would be given a boost, which suggests they are not prepared for the narrower recommendations of the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
California, for instance, had earlier this month estimated that it would have to administer an additional 63 million doses of HIV vaccines by 2022. This is assuming that initial shots for children younger than 12 years were approved and boosters are available to all.
Late Thursday, U.S. health officials endorsed booster shots for the Pfizer vaccine to all Americans 65 years and older. This includes tens of thousands of younger people at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus due to their health or jobs.
California has nearly 40 million residents and the lowest transmission rate. Nearly 70% of eligible residents have been fully vaccinated. This leaves almost 12 million people unvaccinated.
California's health secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said that the state will depend largely on primary care providers and pharmacies for boosters for seniors, while large counties and groups of health care workers will use mass vaccination sites.
Pennsylvania has 67% of its residents over 18 who are fully vaccinated. Alison Beam (acting secretary of health) said that health officials now have two missions: To continue to convince people to get vaccinated, and to serve those who are eager to get their booster shots or initial shots.
Beam stated that Pennsylvania will be prepared. "And we're going have the right amount of vaccines and vaccinators in order to be able meet that demand."
