In the US, a Disturbing Vaccination Trend

An increasing percentage of people missing second dose
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 25, 2021 2:00 AM CDT
Updated Jun 27, 2021 8:15 AM CDT
In the US, a Disturbing Vaccination Trend
Retired RN Barbara Vicente administers a shot of the Pfizer vaccine to Bobbie Guillette, 68, from Austin, Texas, at a clinic at Mother's Brewing Company in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.   (Nathan Papes/The Springfield News-Leader via AP)

The number of people who fail to receive the necessary second dose of their Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is increasing. In the US, among those who've received at least one dose, more than 10% are missing the second, CNN reports. That's particularly concerning as the Delta variant continues to spread; research shows two doses of the vaccine are more effective against that variant of the coronavirus. (One study showed 88% protection from two doses of Pfizer, versus 33% for just one.)

As of June 16, about 88% of Moderna and Pfizer recipients who were eligible for their second dose had received both doses. (That means it had been at least 21 days since their first dose for Pfizer, 28 for Moderna.) Almost 11% did not receive their second dose, while another 1.5% also hadn't but were still within the "allowable interval" of 42 days post-first shot. Adults under the age of 30 were the most likely to be missing their second shot, while the under-18 set was the least likely. Those aged 30-39 were also more likely than other age groups to have missed their second dose. (What's behind those missing doses? Experts delved into that question a couple months ago.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X