The United States, in the midst of its worst wave of coronavirus infections since the beginning of the year, has finally deployed some of its most powerful tools against it. The next step is to make them available to as many Americans as possible.
Last week, the U.S. government approved the latest coronavirus vaccine, advised Virtually every American except young children would receive it.We will start shipping again next week. Free Covid-19 testing To Americans who order it.Some local hospital systems are starting Reinstatement of mask mandatehas extensive requirements, but unlikely Given how politically toxic masking rules have become.Individuals, especially those with compromised immune systems, still advised Wear a mask during periods of rapid infection spread.
The spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been increasing since mid-summer and accelerated in late June, based on the information below. wastewater monitoring And it continues to rise steadily throughout August.
Hospitalizations increased in parallel, particularly among older people and more vulnerable populations. Hospitalization rates for Americans over 70 more than doubled From early July to early September. (Younger age groups were less affected by severe illness, a pattern that has been in place since the coronavirus first emerged.) As a result, deaths rose: Weekly deaths from COVID-19. The number of deaths fell below 500 for the first time in early July, but rose above it again. 900 again in late August.
But the summer wave may finally be reaching its peak. The amount of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) detected in wastewater remained flat from August 30 to September 6, but decreased slightly during the week of September 13, according to the report. biobot analysis. Hospitalizations are still rising over the past two weeks, but this is a lagging indicator. If the spread of infection is indeed slowing, as the wastewater data suggests, indicators of severe illness should start to plateau and then decline in the coming weeks.
Still, as I wrote in late July, this summer’s increase in COVID-19 activity may just be a harbinger of things to come for tourist attractions. Recent mutations have restored some of the coronavirus’ transmissibility. Public health officials still expect a winter wave of virus activity, not just from the new coronavirus, but from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The good news is that we now know strategies to slow the spread of the virus, and governments are taking steps to help people follow them. And despite the inevitable and understandable pandemic fatigue, there are some signs that the American public is taking the start of this virus season seriously. The country will be in a better position to weather the winter surge if people have access to new vaccines and free testing.
COVID-19 vaccines and more free tests now available
Getting vaccinated is the most important step everyone can take to protect themselves this winter. Modern flu shots are already available, and Pfizer and Moderna have developed new versions of mRNA coronavirus vaccines that have proven highly effective at preventing death and hospitalization. The FDA granted them approval last week.
The CDC has recommended that all Americans six months of age and older should receive one dose of the latest coronavirus vaccine. Expectations are rising that annual coronavirus vaccinations will be recommended for most Americans for the next few years, public health experts told Vox’s Rachel DuRose.
For this year’s updated shots, in particularthe CDC recommends:
- All Americans age 5 and older will receive one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least two months after their last dose.
- Americans ages 6 months to 4 years who have not been previously vaccinated will need three doses of the Pfizer product or two doses of the Moderna product.
- Americans ages 6 months to 4 years who have already been vaccinated must receive at least one dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
novavax vaccineIt is also available as an alternative for people who choose not to or are unable to receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which use protein-based formulations instead of mRNA technology. Most people should be able to get the flu and coronavirus shots at the same time, government health officials say.
Most health insurance companies will cover the new Covid-19 vaccine for free, but it’s worth checking your plans in advance.was there report Percentage of people facing copays of $100 or more when visiting the pharmacy.People who are uninsured or whose health insurance does not cover the vaccine still available for free administration It is available at certain health centers, state or local health departments, or pharmacies that participate in federal programs that provide free vaccines.
The Biden administration also announced that all American households will be eligible for the order. Up to 4 free at-home Covid-19 rapid test kits The government had previously made free testing available to everyone in the midst of the pandemic, but earlier this year it revoked eligibility only to uninsured Americans.
The administration is trying to get ahead of this year’s cold and flu season, after last year proved so difficult for the health care system. As Vanderbilt’s Dr. William Schaffner, former medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told me, the fight last year was a function of biology. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, in particular, spiked earlier in the fall than usual before the pandemic, but because these viruses remained largely dormant during the widespread spread of COVID-19, people were less likely to catch these viruses. seemed vulnerable to it.
But Schaffner said the virus is unlikely to surprise us this year. Rather, the challenge in 2023 will be whether health systems can mount a strong response to the already anticipated surge in the virus. For example, providing free testing can help people identify when they have COVID-19 so they can isolate and avoid spreading the virus to others. Masu.
Vaccines are the most important tool available to prevent hospitalization and death, and given the anti-vaccination movement that has flourished during the pandemic, this is likely the area where governments will be tested the most.Less than 1 in 5 Americans Obtained A previously updated version of the vaccine targeted the Omicron variant. Even among the most vulnerable people, over 65, less than half received a bivalent booster.
That low uptake has many public health experts worried that Americans will become skeptical about future COVID-19 vaccinations. But there is some evidence that the public, perhaps having learned about the coronavirus outbreak in late summer, is more receptive to new coronavirus infections this fall and winter.
Just over half of Americans said they were very or somewhat interested in getting the latest vaccine, according to the report. New Reuters/Ipsos poll.This may reflect an overall increase in concern about COVID-19: recent Gallup poll found The share of Americans who think the pandemic is getting worse increased from 5% in May to 30% in September.
These numbers indicate that public health officials may believe Americans are more receptive to interventions such as testing and vaccines. At the same time, governments have a role to play in making these resources more readily available. There is an opportunity for the United States to chart a better path out of the pandemic. Whether we can take advantage of that will be determined in the coming months.
