Advisers Recommend Additional Covid-19 Vaccine Dose for People 65 and Older, CDC Approval Pending
In a recent development, independent advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that people aged 65 and older should receive an additional dose of the current Covid-19 vaccine. The proposal was voted on by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and received 11 yes votes, one no vote, and one abstention. However, the final decision lies with CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen, who must sign off on the recommendation.
The committee’s proposal states that individuals over the age of 65 “should receive an additional dose of 2023-2024 Formula Covid-19 vaccine.” The change in language from “may” to “should” emphasizes the importance of vaccination against Covid-19 for this age group. Older adults are at a higher risk of hospitalization and death from the virus, with most Covid-19 deaths occurring in individuals over the age of 65.
Under the new recommendation, people aged 65 and older can receive an additional dose of any updated Covid-19 vaccine at least four months after their previous shot. The current Covid-19 vaccine, which was updated last fall, is considered highly effective. However, studies conducted by the CDC indicate that protection from the vaccine may wane over time, especially in older individuals whose immune systems may not respond as well.
The vulnerability of older adults to severe effects of Covid-19 is evident from data collected throughout the pandemic. Hospitalizations for adults aged 65 and older have consistently been higher than other age groups, accounting for about two-thirds of Covid-related hospitalizations. Furthermore, seniors make up the largest proportion of those who died in hospitals due to Covid-19, even after being discharged.
The additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine aims to provide incremental or extra protection beyond what individuals may have from previous vaccination or infection. CDC epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles emphasized the importance of this extra protection, particularly for those at the highest risk. While 98% of the US population has some form of immunity to Covid-19, whether from infection, vaccination, or both, this immunity does not provide absolute protection.
Despite the availability of vaccines, data from the CDC shows that a significant portion of the population, including older adults, has not received the Covid-19 vaccine. Only about 21% of adults and 12% of children have been vaccinated since the vaccine’s update in September. This is in stark contrast to the flu vaccine, which has been administered to nearly half of adults and children in the US this season.
The decline in vaccine confidence among Americans is evident from the National Immunization Survey. While most Americans still consider Covid-19 vaccines to be safe and important, confidence in the vaccine has fallen from 83.9% in January 2022 to 69.6% last month. Additionally, fewer adults express concern about getting Covid-19, despite the ongoing threat it poses, especially to vulnerable populations like older individuals and those with underlying conditions.
One possible reason for low vaccination rates among high-risk populations is a lack of recommendation from healthcare providers. The National Immunization Survey reveals that fewer people reported their providers encouraging them to get the vaccine compared to the previous year. Dr. Camille Kotton, a member of the advisory committee, expressed concern over the low vaccination rates among high-risk populations and emphasized the need for clearer recommendations from health leaders.
The urgency to increase vaccination rates among older adults stems from the alarming number of hospital admissions and deaths due to Covid-19. As of the week ending February 17, there were approximately 20,000 new hospital admissions and 2,000 Covid-19 deaths per week. Even during the lowest point of the pandemic last summer, there were still about 500 Covid-19 deaths per week.
In conclusion, the recommendation for an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting vulnerable populations. The decision now rests with CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen, who will determine whether to approve the advisory committee’s recommendation. It is crucial for healthcare providers to actively encourage their patients, especially high-risk individuals, to get vaccinated and for health leaders to provide clear and concise recommendations to address vaccine hesitancy. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to pose a significant threat, and vaccination remains a vital tool in mitigating its impact.