Opinion by Leana S. Wen: How can we increase booster uptake? By targeting those who need it.
survey found that only 1 in 3 adults said that they have either received the updated booster or plan to do so. The rate is higher among those 65 and older, though even in this group, less than half said that they have received it or intend to do it soon. Awareness is also low, with only about half of adults reporting that they have heard of the new booster.
Clearly, there must be a coordinated booster campaign ahead of a likely winter surge. Now is the time for nursing homes to organize vaccine clinics where residents can receive both the covid and flu vaccines. Hospitals and insurers should identify their elderly patients and others with underlying conditions and call them to coordinate their boosters. Meanwhile, public health departments should resurrect mobile vaccine clinics and send them to senior centers and homeless shelters.
Some lower-risk people would happily get the booster and enjoy these benefits. Others might decide to time their inoculation ahead of, say, a big trip or a large family get-together. I think it’s reasonable for a generally healthy 40-year-old to wait until two weeks before high-exposure events to get their booster. I also think it’s reasonable for parents whose young kids completed their primary vaccination tofor now.
Recent infection should also be taken into consideration. There is growing evidence that hybrid immunity — the combination of recovery from infection combined with vaccination — provides the strongest and most durable protection. It’s also becoming clear that
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