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When it comes to wasting money, the Biden administration has few peers. Earlier in the year, Team Biden re-purposed billions of dollars to buy 170 million doses of the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. The problem is, few people are getting the shots.
The CDC reports that just 35 million people — roughly 11% of the population and only 15% of the 227 million people who have completed the primary vaccine series and are eligible for the new booster — have taken it in the three months since it was authorized.
But instead of examining why the response is so poor, the administration is resorting to its usual solution — spend more money. White House COVID-19 response coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, has just announced a “six-week sprint” to convince Americans to get their updated vaccines.
The White House fact sheet for the new campaign reports that already “Over 70,000 locations are offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken steps this month to expand to even more locations.”
Apparently, that is not enough. The administration says it will pilfer another $475 million from the Provider Relief Fund — meant to preserve the healthcare system by financially supporting providers who experienced lost revenues and increased expenses during the pandemic — to boost bivalent booster uptake. The program will “invest” (this administration never spends) $350 million into community health centers to raise booster awareness and expand vaccination activities. Another $125 million will go “to national organizations that serve people with disabilities and older adults to support community vaccination programs and efforts.” --->READ MORE HERE
Believe it: Merriam-Webster’s 2022 word of the year is “Gaslighting.”
Today in health, we look as the White House’s booster push falls flat against widespread pandemic fatigue even as another coronavirus surge looms.
Welcome to Overnight Health Care, where we’re following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. For The Hill, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi. Someone forward you this newsletter?
White House battles pandemic fatigue in vax push
Public health officials have repeatedly warned that the U.S. will likely face another wave of COVID-19 infections as the weather gets colder and people travel and gather for the holidays.
But it doesn’t seem to be convincing a checked-out public to get vaccinated.
New COVID-19 booster shot uptake remained low heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, frustrating Biden administration officials who previously called for the public to get booster shots in time for Halloween.
The government has purchased 171 million doses of the updated vaccine. But federal data shows that just 11 percent of the population older than age 5 has received a dose, including just under 30 percent of people 65 and older. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
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