CDC: millions of Americans skip 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The coronavirus vaccination campaign continues across the United States, but not all Americans are following the guidelines.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions are skipping their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the CDC, about 8% of Americans have missed their second dose — that’s more than five million people.

Officials said that number does not take into account people who got their first dose at one clinic and then received their second dose at a different location.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses to be fully effective.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it’s best for people to stay as close to the vaccination schedule as possible.

“Whenever you have a two-dose vaccine, you’re going to see people who for one reason or other — convenience, forgetting,

a number of other things — just don’t show up for the second vaccine,” he said.

Other possible issues contributing to those not getting their second dose include vaccine providers not receiving shipments on time and having to reschedule appointments.

Meantime, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine option is back on the table. It was paused for a short time this month due to reports of a rare blood clotting syndrome.

The vaccine’s label will now be updated to warn of the blood clot risks.

Emergency funding coming to local school districts, helping students catch-up remains top priority