The US vaccine supply keeps growing as manufacturers continue to boost production of the 3 approved COVID-19 vaccines. But the country faces challenges achieving herd immunity, with disparities persisting among vulnerable groups.
Vaccine hesitancy is a significant obstacle to progress, with some people choosing not to get the shot and others refusing it in spite of health authorities’ recommendations. Several studies suggest that efforts to increase vaccine uptake should focus on education and outreach to promote accurate information about the benefits, risks, and effectiveness of the vaccine.
The next CDC director, Rochelle Walensky, is pledging to increase science-based communication in an effort to address hesitancy and antivaccination sentiment. Walensky also aims to expand the number of vaccination sites and those administering doses, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
Efforts to improve vaccine access in the US are hindered by inefficient distribution and a lack of accurate reporting of data. One challenge is that many rural counties do not have brick-and-mortar pharmacies, leaving some residents without access to the vaccine and requiring them to travel long distances to receive it.
In his first prime-time address, President Biden urged states to make the vaccine available to all adults by May 1, noting that the goal is still achievable even as the virus continues to spread and Americans are continuing to practice mitigation measures like mask wearing and social distancing. But states face challenges implementing the massive vaccination campaign, with staff shortages and crashing websites inundated by calls for appointments.