With more than 40 million coronavirus vaccines available, health authorities in the United States are confident that there will be enough for older people who qualify and request a booster shot and also for children by the time it is approved. for them in the medium term.
Higher demand, expected following last week’s federal recommendation on booster injections, would be the first significant increase in months. More than 70 million Americans remain unvaccinated despite incentives like lottery tickets, free food or gifts, and pleas from exhausted healthcare workers. The average number of deaths per day has risen to more than 1,900 in recent weeks.
Federal and state health officials said the current supply and steady production of more doses can easily accommodate those looking to boost or get their first vaccine, preventing a repeat of the slow start to the early nationwide vaccination campaign. of this year.
Strong supply in the United States enabled President Joe Biden to pledge an additional 500 million Pfizer injections against COVID-19 this week to share with the world, doubling the U.S. contribution. Aid groups and health organizations have lobbied this and other countries to improve access to vaccines in countries where the most vulnerable people have not received them.
Among the challenges states face is not ordering too many doses and letting them go to waste. Several states with low vaccination rates, including Idaho and Kansas, have reported that they have thrown away thousands of expired doses or are trying to use vaccines that are about to expire.
While most vaccines can sit on unopened shelves for months, once a vial is opened, the clock starts ticking. The vaccines can only be used for six to 12 hours, depending on the manufacturer, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
___
Foody reported from Chicago. Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; and Patty Nieberg in Denver contributed to this report.
___
Nieberg is a member of the staff of The Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on uncovered topics.
–
