Over 5 Million Individuals Missed Their Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose

As the U.S. makes strides towards achieving herd immunity, recent data reveals that more than 5 million individuals, accounting for 8% of those who received their first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, have skipped their second shot. This troubling trend has several underlying reasons.

According to a report by The Globe Journal, based on CDC statistics from March 7 to April 9, over 5 million individuals who received their initial Pfizer or Moderna vaccine failed to return for their second dose—more than double the rate from February. The reasons for this increase are varied. Some individuals opted out due to concerns about potential side effects related to the second dose, while others mistakenly believed that a single shot would suffice for adequate COVID-19 protection.

Understanding Side Effects

Regarding side effects, it’s true that the second dose can induce some discomfort, including body aches. However, if you can manage a day off to rest and take some Tylenol, enduring these temporary effects is worth it for the long-term protection against COVID-19. While it’s accurate that a single dose offers some level of protection (estimated at 80%), the duration of that protection remains uncertain without the second shot. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines provide at least six months of protection when both doses are administered.

“Receiving the second dose is crucial for enduring immunity,” stated Dr. James Carter, co-director of the Vaccine Development Center in Houston. Dr. Linda Morgan, a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee, emphasized that protection against new COVID-19 variants does not fully occur until after the second dose. “My consistent message: mRNA vaccines only achieve their full efficacy after two doses,” Carter tweeted, noting that relying on a single dose may lead to unexpected breakthrough infections.

Logistical Challenges

While many chose not to return for their second dose, some individuals encountered issues with their healthcare providers. Reports indicated that some pharmacies, like CVS, directed patients who received their first Pfizer or Moderna shots to locations that only had the alternative vaccine available. Additionally, there were instances where health providers had to cancel second doses due to delayed vaccine shipments, and some patients were unable to attend their rescheduled appointments. One individual recounted how she had to visit three different pharmacies, all of which were out of the second-dose Pfizer vaccines she needed, despite having a scheduled appointment.

Another factor contributing to the missed second shots is that prior to the opening of vaccine appointments to all Americans, many younger individuals secured “leftover doses” at pharmacies and clinics at the end of the day. Unfortunately, many of these clinics could not guarantee a follow-up appointment for the second dose, leaving people in a bind.

CDC Recommendations

For those still awaiting their second shot, the CDC advises that the second Pfizer vaccine dose should be administered three weeks after the first, while the second Moderna dose should be given four weeks later. However, if an individual misses their second appointment, they can still receive their second dose of either vaccine up to six weeks after the first.

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In summary, over 5 million people have not returned for their second COVID-19 vaccine dose, mainly due to concerns about side effects, misconceptions about protection from a single dose, and logistical issues with health providers. Ensuring the completion of the vaccination schedule is vital for achieving long-term immunity against COVID-19 variants.

Keyphrase: COVID-19 second vaccine dose

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