The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that nearly 15 million people who have been eligible to take shots have dodged their second dose of the COVID19 vaccine in the US. The officials have said that more than one in 10 people have missed their second jab in the country. During mid-June, around 11 percent of people who have had enough time to get their second dose of the vaccine has neglected their perfect window of second dose vaccination. The number of people who have missed their second jab has shot up from 8 percent during the first phase of this year. The CDC spokesperson, Kate Fowlie has said that the rise in the number of people missing their second dose is not unforeseen. The second dose is given three weeks after the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine and almost four weeks after the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. A second dose is taken as a missed dose if more than 42 days are passed after the first jab, said the experts.
Health experts have said that these 15 million people have missed their second jab due to a number of reasons such as thinking that only one dose is enough for their protection. Some people have dodged their second jab, as they have been scared of the unpleasant side effects of the second dose. On the other hand, some people simply dodge their appointment for the second dose and never reschedule it. Dr. David Broniatowski who is the associate director of George Washington University’s Data Democracy and Politics has said that some people assume that as they have tested positive for COVID19 in the past, so they do not require the second dose and one dose of the shot is enough to protect them from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Broniatowski has said that it is important to study why people are missing their second dose. The authorities need to change their public messaging to address people’s concerns and inhibition.
Health officials have said that during the early stage of the pandemic, experts have been studying whether one dose of the shot will be enough to provide some immunity to people. They have thought that some protection from the virus is far better than none. However, it has led to a certain kind of confusion among people on whether two doses of the shot are required or not. Dr. Broniatowski has said that such kinds of theories get people thinking about other concerns and barriers linked to the second dose of the shot. Many health experts have warned people that no matter how busy people are and how badly they want to avoid feeling sick after vaccination, two doses of immunization is very crucial as the more concerning Delta variant is spreading across the United States. Health and Social care secretary Matt Hancock from the UK has said that it has been established how vital the second dose is in offering robust protection against COVID19 and its various strains. The CDC has said that people who suffer severe allergic reactions after the first jab should not take the second jab; otherwise, everyone should complete their two-dose vaccine regime. There is no enough data on how effective the second dose if it is taken after 42 days of the first dose.
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