CDC: Nearly 13M receive at least one COVID-19 dose in first month

About 12. 9 million people received at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines between Dec. 14 and Jan. 14, the first month of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today.

Among recipients reporting demographic data, 63% were women, 55% were aged 50 or older, and 60.4% were white, which likely reflects the demographic characteristics of the health care personnel and long-term care facility residents in the Phase 1a priority group, the authors said.

“As the vaccination program expands, it is critical to ensure efficient and equitable administration to persons in each successive vaccine priority category, especially those at highest risk for infection and severe health outcomes,” they said.

A second CDC report released today looks at COVID-19 vaccination coverage at 11,460 skilled nursing facilities conducting at least one vaccination clinic during the first month of the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a public-private partnership between CDC, CVS Pharmacy, Managed Health Care Associates and Walgreens to provide on-site COVID-19 vaccination.

A median 77.8% of residents and 37.5% of staff members received at least one vaccine dose between Dec. 18 and Jan. 17, the authors said, adding that focused communications and outreach might improve vaccination acceptance and coverage among staff at SNFs and other long-term care facilities.