Covid Booster Shots Are Now Outpacing First Vaccine Doses

Data revealing that more Covid booster shots are now being given in the US than first or second doses suggests that those who believe in the benefits of vaccination remain committed to preventing the virus. 

But the data also reveals that those opposed to vaccination for political or cultural reasons or because they have been influenced by misinformation from anti-vax advocates or right-wing media, remain opposed and are unlikely to change their minds. The policy implications from a social science standpoint are that it may be most useful now to focus on vaccination for younger children who have not, as yet, been approved, rather than attempting to convince hard-core vaccine opponents. JL 

Kaia Hubbard and Alex Matthews report in USNews:

6.6 million shots were administered from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, nearly 2.7 million of which were booster shots, while about 2 million were first doses and 2 million were second doses. Those who are now eligible for a booster shot tend to be the same group who were first in line for a dose when they were first made available. More eligible individuals are opting for a third dose of the vaccine than one of the initial regimen. 6.7 million booster shots have been administered in total. The bulk of those have gone to seniors, while 2.4 million have gone to adults ages 18-64

Coronavirus booster shots are eclipsing first and second doses, as more eligible individuals are opting for a third dose of the vaccine than one of the initial regimen.

The booster doses are contributing to a slight increase in vaccinations during the first week of October, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Around 6.6 million shots were administered from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, nearly 2.7 million of which were booster shots, while about 2 million were first doses and 2 million were second doses.

More than 6.7 million booster shots have been administered in total, according to CDC data. The bulk of those have gone to seniors, while about 2.4 million have gone to adults ages 18-64.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection signed off on a plan to give additional Pfizer shots to people ages 65 and older, among other groups.

The approval was more narrow than President Joe Biden had originally proposed, indicating in August that he wanted every American to be eligible for a booster dose eight months after their last shot, pending approval. However, those who are now eligible for a booster shot tend to be the same group who were first in line for a dose when they were first made available, so the president's proposal may still be feasible. In the meantime, at-risk populations who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines await regulatory approval.

Some immunocompromised individuals received third doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine after the FDA extended their emergency use authorizations in August. About 1.4 million people have had a third dose of Moderna's vaccine, according to CDC data.

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients gave comparable booster shot estimates at a press briefing Wednesday, estimating that 4 million Americans had received a booster shot in the two weeks following the CDC's recommendation.

"So, our booster program is not only up and running, but it's also accelerating," Zients said during a press briefing Wednesday. "And we're building on our strong start to get millions of eligible Americans their booster shot."