Jeff Zients, the federal administration's pandemic response coordinator, said this morning that although the COVID-19 vaccination program for children ages 5 to 11 just began this week, by the end of Wednesday more than 900,000 infants will have received their first dose of the vaccine.
As of today, there are already 700,000 additional appointments on the calendar at local pharmacies, including pediatricians' and family doctors' offices, pharmacies, children's hospitals, community health centers, rural health clinics and school clinics.
"Parents and families across the country are breathing a sigh of relief. And we're just getting started. We will continue to work with governors, local leaders, health care providers and others to keep moving forward," he stressed via conference call.
Zients reported that nationwide, 114 children's hospitals are offering vaccinations and engaging their communities, and many are hosting family-friendly vaccination events with stickers, mascots and stuffed animals.
The official stressed that, in addition to the new program for children aged 5 to 11 years, the government continues to focus on the program for unvaccinated people. In view of this, he said that in the last seven days alone, an average of 300,000 first vaccinations per day has been recorded, which is the highest seven-day total in almost a month.
"The truth is that the vaccination requirements are working. In fact, the vaccination requirements have helped reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans 12 and older by nearly 40 percent, from about 100 million at the end of July to less than 60 million now," he said.
In the same vein, he noted that vaccination requirements get more people vaccinated, strengthen the economy and "help us continue on our path out of the pandemic.
Booster vaccines
On booster vaccines, Jeff Zients reported that, in total, more than 25 million Americans have turned out for the enhanced protection of a Pfizer, Moderna or J&J booster.
"In the last week, we have administered more than 9 million vaccines in total. This is the highest total in one week since before the summer, five months ago," he said.
"It is clear that our efforts to help parents vaccinate their children, those who are unvaccinated and to get boosters to eligible Americans are driving significant progress in our battle against the pandemic," he added.
COVID-19 tests
The official noted that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investing $650 million from the American Recovery Plan to provide manufacturers of point-of-care diagnostic tests with up-front purchase commitments so that these manufacturers can buy in advance. (HHS) is investing $650 million from the American Recovery Plan to provide manufacturers of point-of-care diagnostic tests with advance purchase commitments so that these manufacturers can increase their production.
He added that such action builds on the $3 billion investment to increase home test production - four new over-the-counter home tests cleared by the FDA since early October - as well as other FDA and NIH actions that will increase testing options and reduce prices for consumers.
Equitable response
The most recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey showed that 73 percent of African-American adults, 72 percent of white adults and 70 percent of Hispanic adults had been vaccinated for at least the first time by mid-October.
"We know we have more work to do, but this is progress we can build on."
You may be interested in: Nearly all U.S. adults exposed to myths and fake news about COVID
