Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
From 0 To 50% In 6 Months: Half Of American Adults Are Fully Vaccinated
NPR: Half Of All U.S. Adults Are Now Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program has gone from zero to 50% in less than six months. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Biden administration said, half of the country's adults are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. "This is a major milestone in our country's vaccination efforts," Andy Slavitt, a White House senior adviser on the COVID-19 response, said during a midday briefing. "The number was 1% when we entered office Jan. 20." (Chappell, 5/25)
NBC News: Half Of U.S. Adults Are Now Fully Vaccinated
Now, a handful of states have surpassed the halfway mark for adults, including Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. But several states, including Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Georgia have vaccinated a little more than one-third of their adult population. (Ramos, 5/25)
But the pace is slowing and groups try creative tactics to reach the hesitant —
CIDRAP: COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Rises But Needs Boost
Two new studies reveal that although COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has declined in the United States, 35.2% of adults 18 to 39 years and 8.7% of those 65 and older still said they would not partake as of March 2021 and November 2020, respectively. UK researchers leading the first study, published yesterday in JAMA, sent online questionnaires to participants in the Understanding America Study every 14 to 28 days from Oct 14, 2020, to Mar 29, 2021. (Van Beusekom, 5/25)
AP: Schools Try Pep-Rally Tactics To Get Students Vaccinated
A growing number of public schools are using mascots, food trucks and prize giveaways to create a pep-rally atmosphere aimed at encouraging students to get vaccinated against the coronavirus before summer vacation. Districts from California to Michigan are offering free prom tickets and deploying mobile vaccination teams to schools to inoculate students 12 and up so everyone can return to classrooms in the fall. They are also enlisting students who have gotten shots to press their friends to do the same. (Watson, 5/25)
AP: COVID Vaccinations Offered Aboard Washington Ferries
People in Washington state can now get a COVID vaccination on the ferry. The state Department of Transportation and Peninsula Community Health Services are offering shots aboard the Seattle-Bremerton ferry runs from Tuesday until Thursday. Another round of shots will be given next week, from June 1 to 3. KOMO reports that interested passengers can get the vaccine on sailings departing from mid-morning until late afternoon. (5/26)
NPR: United Holds Drawings For Free Flights For Those Who Get The Shot
The offers are aimed at overcoming vaccine hesitancy and have become more common in recent weeks as vaccine interest has slowed nationwide. A CNN poll in April found that 26% of Americans said they would not get the COVID-19 vaccine. To enter United's contest, travelers who are part of the airline's MileagePlus program must enter a photo of their vaccine card online by June 22. United will choose five winners to receive a year of free flights — 26 round-trip tickets — in any class for themselves and one traveling companion. (Hernandez, 5/25)
