News: Axios Vitals: The risk of throwing open the vaccine doors

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Axios Vitals: The risk of throwing open the vaccine doors

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Vitals

By Caitlin Owens ·Mar 17, 2021

Good morning.

Join Axios' Mike Allen and Russell Contreras tomorrow at 12:30pm ET for a virtual event on legislation that would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity, featuring Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and criminal justice reform advocate Matthew Charles.

Today's word count is 880, or a 3-minute read.

1 big thing: The risk of throwing open the vaccine doors

A soldier administers a coronavirus vaccine in Miami. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Several states are making their entire adult populations eligible for coronavirus vaccines well ahead of President Biden's May 1 goal.

Why it matters: Opening up eligibility could get more shots in arms, but it also risks creating more competition for vaccines before many vulnerable Americans have received theirs.

Driving the news: Alaska and Mississippi have made the vaccine available to everyone older than 16. Ohio, Utah, Michigan, Montana and Connecticut have all said they'll follow suit within the next few weeks, per CNN.

Where it stands: Alaska has fully vaccinated more of its population than any other state, at over 18%, and Connecticut is near the top, according to Johns Hopkins' vaccine tracker.
But Ohio and Michigan are in the middle of the pack, and only seven states have vaccinated smaller shares of the their population than Mississippi.
Nationally, about 37% of people 65 and older are fully vaccinated, and about 65% have received at least one dose, per the CDC.

What they're saying: "One of the risks of opening up to all adults is it does become a bit of a free for all, and it becomes much more difficult to target vaccines and ensure those who are most vulnerable are vaccinated first," Kaiser Family Foundation's Jen Tolbert said.

The other side: An increase in vaccine supply may mean that speed and equity don't necessarily have to work against each other.

"We can increase eligibility to get as much speed going as possible (and prevent doses from sitting in storage), while also targeting communities that are unable to get access due to barriers to care," said Leana Wen, a visiting professor at George Washington University School of Public Health.

Between the lines: Even when eligibility is wide open, providers may still have some ability to prioritize the highest-risk patients.

Go deeper.

2. COVID vaccines may help long-haulers

Some people with "long COVID" say their symptoms got better after they received a vaccine, the Washington Post reports.

The big picture: The evidence so far is largely anecdotal, but further research could help determine whether vaccines can offer some help to the millions of people worldwide who are suffering through long-term illness that science doesn't understand very well, Axios' Marisa Fernandez writes.

Driving the news: A small pre-print study, which has yet to be peer reviewed, found that dozens of people with long COVID saw their symptoms either improve or stay the same after they got a vaccine.

In an informal survey from Survivor Corps, a nonprofit for people with long COVID, 231 members said they felt no different after vaccination, while 207 said their conditions improved and 70 reported that they felt worse.

What they're saying: "This could be psychosomatic at the end of the day, or it could be evidence of viral persistence," Survivor Corps founder Diana Berrent said.

What's next: Yale University immunologist Akiko Iwasaki has laid out a few possible reasons vaccines might help with long-haul symptoms, and is planning a formal study.

3. Cherokee Nation previews new vaccine problem

The Cherokee Nation is now facing the issue that the rest of America will have to deal with in the coming months: demand for coronavirus vaccines had dried up, the New York Times reports.

The big picture: So far, demand for vaccines has outstripped supply in the U.S. But at some point the vaccination effort's biggest challenge will be finding the unvaccinated and convincing them they should get a shot.

"It is a dizzying public health challenge that cuts across the country," NYT writes.
"It encompasses persuading skeptics, calling people who do not realize they are now eligible, and making vaccines accessible for homebound patients, overstretched working families and people in rural areas and minority communities."

Details: The tribe has successfully vaccinated members eager to receive a shot, and has opened appointments to any qualifying person — tribal member or not — living in its borders.

But hundreds of slots haven't been filled. The tribe has administered more than 33,000 doses, but there are 141,000 citizens on the reservation.
"Those initial waves of people that really wanted and needed the vaccine — we worked through that," Brian Hail, who helps oversee the tribe's vaccination efforts, told NYT. "We're struggling to get people to come in."

Go deeper: Native American tribes lead the way on coronavirus vaccinations

A message from PhRMA

We are committed to being a part of the solution

As we usher in a new Congress and new administration, we can all agree that people need quality, affordable health coverage that works when they need it.

We are focused on solutions that help patients better afford their medicines and protect access to innovation today and in the future.

4. Catch up quick

Illustrated collage of a cut up coronavirus cell.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Former President Trump recommended that Americans, and specifically those who voted for him, get vaccinated against COVID-19 during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it will allow some companies developing COVID-19 tests to market their products for regular at-home use without first seeing how they perform on asymptomatic people, Politico reports.

The Olympic torch relay kicks off next week at a spectator-free "Grand Start" in Japan, with organizers hoping to avoid a cancellation after last year's delay.

Moderna announced Tuesday that it has begun testing its coronavirus vaccine on children ages six months to less than 12 years in a Phase 2/3 trial beginning in the U.S. and Canada.

5. 1 fun photo essay

My dad documents his journey through getting his first coronavirus shot in Tampa. Photos: Bill Owens

My dad, who has spent a good chunk of his life working as a horse veterinarian at Tampa Bay Downs, sent us a creative play-by-play yesterday as he waited in line for his first coronavirus shot. Here are his captions to the above photos:

"At the track."
"Heading up for the race."
"Being loaded into the starting gate."
"Top of the stretch."
"Finish line. Oops. Read the sign." ("Video & Pictures Prohibited")
"1st prize. I won."

But wait, there's more, just no more photos:

"I'm in the detention barn for 15 minutes to see if I'm acting weird" (Jury's out on whether he was acting weird, but no allergic reaction.)
"Stay tuned for the next race April 4 at 2:45."
"I would like to thank those who helped me win this race. Thank you God, USA, and last but not least my loving family."

My thought bubble: I guess writing runs in the family.

A message from PhRMA

Biopharma is committed to being a part of the solution

As we usher in a new administration and Congress, there are many things on which we can all agree, like building a more just, equitable society.

The biopharmaceutical industry remains committed to addressing systemic racism on behalf of our communities, the patients we serve and our employees.