Where We Are Right Now?
In yet another major milestone in the nation’s largest vaccination campaign, the United States reported on Sunday that half of all adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. As of Sunday, April 18, 2021, approximately 130 million people over the age of 18, or 50.4% of the adult population, have received a single dose of an approved vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The U.S. also reported that roughly 84 million adults over the age of 18, about 32.5% of the adult population, have been fully vaccinated. This statistic includes those who have received the recently ‘paused’ Johnson and Johnson vaccine that has reportedly been the cause of six cases of rare blood clots in women across multiple states.
As of Sunday, April 18, 2021, the CDC reported a total of 40,482 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., a 5% increase over the last 14-day period. These new cases bring the total reported cases to over 31.6 million; and with another 352 reported deaths, the death toll is now 566,804. Total hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also increased by about 11%, with 45,643 reported on Sunday as well. In Michigan alone cases, deaths, and hospitalizations have risen by 39%, 87%, and 83% respectively.
Daily vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to climb in reaction to surges in cases, with a daily rate of approximately 3.3 million according to the CDC. This vaccination rate equates to roughly 61.6 doses per 100 people, the fourth-highest rate in the world in countries with populations over 5 million. The U.S. trails behind Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, and the United Kingdom; of which vaccination rates are 119.2, 97.08, 70, and 62 respectively.
Increases in the number of vaccinations are a promising step in the ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and as numbers continue to rise, many are hopeful that the pandemic may finally be on its way out. New Hampshire currently leads the nation in adults who have received at least one dose, with 58%, followed by Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts, with 49%, 49%, and 48% respectively.
Currently, Mississippi has the lowest percentage of people with at least one dose of a vaccine, with only 29%. Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee have similarly low percentages, those being 30%, 31%, and 32% respectively. For both the highest and lowest percentages, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been included in the data used to compile vaccination statistics.
Reaching the 50% half vaccinated milestone is no feat that should go unnoticed. As vaccine rollouts continue, the number of people willing to roll up their sleeves has also increased. In December of 2020, only 47% of Americans said they would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when a vaccine becomes available. In recent months, that number has skyrocketed to over 75%, according to the latest AP-NORC poll.
For now, vaccination efforts are continuing to ramp up, with President Biden hoping to deliver 200 million vaccines by his 100th day in office. This goal comes only after the previous goal of 100 million by 100 days was achieved nearly six weeks ahead of schedule.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and chief medical advisor to President Biden, stated that he expects a decision to be made soon in regards to the continued use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, after a hearing held by an expert panel advising both the CDC and Federal Drug Administration this Friday (FDA).
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