Published in the US, according to the “New York Times” already around eight percent of those vaccinated for the first time do not have their second vaccination at the appointment. In total, there are currently around five million people who did not receive their second spades. The newspaper relies on data from the US Disease Control Agency CDC.
Why the people did not appear is not always clear. What is striking, however, is the comparison with the numbers at the beginning of the US vaccination campaign. The proportion of those who missed the second vaccination in the first few weeks is significantly lower than currently. The US is now trying to remind people who missed the appointment again in some states, such as Arkansas and Illinois.
More susceptible to virus variants
The problem: Compared to the double vaccination, a single dose triggers a weaker immune response – and, according to the newspaper, can make the recipients more susceptible to virus variants. In addition, it is not clear how long the partial protection of a single dose lasts.
“I’m very concerned because you need this second dose,” says Paul Offit of the University of Pennsylvania, who also serves on the American vaccine advisory committee. (euc)