Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Vaccination Rates Improve
The Hill: Shrinking Number Of Unvaccinated People Eager To Get Coronavirus Jab: Poll
A shrinking population of unvaccinated people say they're eager to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible this month, according to a poll released Friday. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Vaccine Monitor determined that while 62 percent of respondents reported getting their COVID-19 shot, 4 percent say they will get vaccinated at soon as possible. The overall vaccination rate does show improvement since April’s survey, when 56 percent reported getting their shot. But the percentage of people who wanted the vaccine as soon as possible dropped from 9 percent in April. (Coleman, 5/28)
CIDRAP: Ten States Reach 70% COVID-19 Vaccination Goal
So far ten states have reached President Biden's Jul 4 goal of vaccinating 70% of eligible residents against COVID-19, according to White House COVID-19 response coordinator Andy Slavitt. Pennsylvania joined Vermont, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Mexico as the tenth state to reach the 70% goal of having citizens with at least one dose of vaccine. Slavitt tweeted that another 10 states are above 65% coverage. (Soucheray, 5/27)
CIDRAP: State COVID-19 Vaccine Websites Found Wanting In Accessibility, Usability
Many state-run COVID-19 vaccine websites could improve their accessibility and usability, according to a research letter yesterday in JAMA Network Open. The researchers conducted a qualitative study on each state's website for COVID-19 vaccine information and looked at accessibility and usability from the standpoint of someone who was trying to understand vaccine eligibility, wanting to schedule an appointment online, or needing to be added to a wait list. (5/27)
Concord (N.H.) Monitor: State-Run Vaccine Sites To Close By End Of June
Starting on June 1, state-run vaccination sites will stop offering first-dose vaccinations, according to a statement released Thursday by the NH Joint Information Center. State-run sites will close down permanently on June 30, an indication that New Hampshire is saturated with doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 60% of the population has received at least one dose and many of the remaining 40% have reported that they’re not interested in receiving the vaccine at this time. (Rosenbluth, 5/27)
Other efforts to get shots in arms —
The Eagle-Tribune: Forums Address Adolescent COVID Vaccine Concerns
A series of virtual town halls aims to answer families’ questions about adolescents getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The Vermont chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has hosted a dozen family forums since last Thursday. “We really wanted to plan some outreach events and provide an opportunity for families to hear the information, but also really to have a conversation with local pediatricians and family physicians,” said AAPVT Executive Director Stephanie Winters. (Sabataso, 5/27)
The Hill: ACLU Calls For COVID-19 Vaccines For Those In ICE Detention
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is pushing the Biden administration to vaccinate everyone in immigration detention along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff. “Given the urgency posed by COVID-19 — including the introduction of new variants and continued outbreaks throughout detention centers across the country from increased population numbers — it is imperative that ICE act quickly to provide vaccines to all detained people and staff in all detention facilities nationwide,” the ACLU wrote in a letter to both Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and ICE acting Director Tae Johnson. (Beitsch, 5/27)
