“We have a very narrow window of opportunity to make clear what the benefits of vaccines are. We know that these vaccines are really effective in preventing serious diseases. They also substantially reduce the risk in each of these different types of environments, whether going to the restaurant or gym, or see family and friends. ”
The increase occurs as more states are reporting the spread of variants that are more infectious and may negate previous immunity for those who had Covid-19.
Because of the complications provided by the variants, experts say mass inoculation is necessary. But according to Wen, the situation is more subtle than believing that American society is strictly divided between pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination proponents.
“We are neglecting the large number of intermediate people who need it, who want to get the vaccine, but may have some concerns or simply not have time to be away from work or look for daycare centers,” she said. “We need to make vaccination easier for these individuals and also to clearly demonstrate what the benefit of vaccination is, to make clear the message that vaccines are the way back to pre-pandemic life.”
States juggle to expand access to the vaccine and end capacity rules
With the increase in supply, more states have increased eligibility for vaccines.
In New Hampshire, residents 50 and over will be eligible on Monday, and the state plans to expand access to all of its citizens aged 16 and over “in just a few weeks,” according to the governor of New Hampshire. , Chris Sununu.
When asked to comment on the growing average of new daily cases of Covid-19 in the state, Sununu said: “what matters is to reduce hospitalizations and the death rate, which is continually falling”.
According to the governor, many people are also becoming relaxed about wearing masks and social distance. “We are not out of it yet,” said Sununu.
Starting on Monday, Louisiana will expand vaccine eligibility to a long list of essential workers, including individuals working in higher education, food and grocery services, manufacturing, transportation, clergy and others. On Tuesday, Maryland will expand access to everyone aged 60 and over.
Kentucky will allow access to vaccinations for people aged 50 and over starting on Monday and aims to have all adults eligible on April 12. The state also joins others that began to open collection restrictions, facilitating curfews for bars and restaurants starting on Friday, limiting them to 60% of capacity.
Massachusetts will allow 12% participation in stadiums, arenas and stadiums next week. Public establishment capacity limits have increased to 100 people indoors and 150 outdoors, with remaining indoors meetings for 10 people allowed.
Border restrictions continue with increasing domestic travel
Dr. Wen emphasized on CNN on Thursday that with the visible increase in travel and people moving towards pre-pandemic lifestyles without adequate security measures, a message needs to be reinforced by the CDC to the general public: inoculation leads to a faster return to safer activities.
“What the CDC really needs to do at this point is to tell unvaccinated people, here are low-risk, medium-risk and high-risk activities. Many things are likely to be high-risk for non-vaccinated people,” Wen said.
“So they need to say to the vaccinated individuals, you are able to do a lot more. Nothing will be zero risk, but many of those activities that were formally high risk are now low risk, ”she said. “I think this kind of vaccination benefit really needs to be illustrated for people.”
CNN’s Maggie Fox, Arman Azad, Naomi Thomas, Kelsie Smith, Gisela Crespo, Rebekah Riess, Chris Boyette, Juliana Battaglia, Kristina Sgueglia, Steve Almasy and Geneva Sands contributed to this report.