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Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccination Update: Key Takeaways and Emerging Trends

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As of March 24, nearly 256 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, representing 76.8% of the total population. However, with the surge of the Omicron variant BA.2, concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines and the need for booster shots have intensified. This article provides an update on the latest developments in the COVID-19 vaccination landscape, including the transmissibility and disease severity of the Omicron variant, the effectiveness of current vaccines, and emerging trends in vaccine distribution and treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Omicron variant BA.2 is now the most common COVID-19 strain in the United States, representing more than half of all infections.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 85.9% of all cases are attributable to BA.2, with the variant driving surges in cases and hospitalizations in Southeast Asia and Western Europe.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance, recommending that adults aged 50 years and older receive a second mRNA booster shot, while also expanding booster recommendations among other key groups.
  • However, the US government is facing a shortage of vaccine doses, with an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimating that the federal government does not have enough vaccine doses remaining in its current supply to fully cover the US population under any of the following scenarios: providing a fourth dose to those ages 50 years and older, providing a fourth dose to those 65 years and older, providing a fourth dose to those 18 years and older, or providing a fourth dose to all ages.
  • As of the end of February, 35% of children 5–11 years old are estimated to have received one or more vaccine doses, up from 33% in January.
  • Moderna has released data detailing how their vaccine generated comparable antibody responses in younger children as seen in adults, with the shots at one quarter the size of adult doses being less effective in preventing symptomatic infections than seen in previous trials in older groups.

Statistics:

  • As of March 24, nearly 256 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, representing 76.8% of the total population.
  • Over 97 million people in the US have received a booster shot, representing 44.6% of those who are fully vaccinated.
  • The Omicron variant BA.2 is now the most common COVID-19 strain in the United States, representing more than half of all infections.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 85.9% of all cases are attributable to BA.2, with the variant driving surges in cases and hospitalizations in Southeast Asia and Western Europe.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance, recommending that adults aged 50 years and older receive a second mRNA booster shot, while also expanding booster recommendations among other key groups.

Sources:

  • National Association of Attorneys General
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Kaiser Family Foundation
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer/BioNTech

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