Analysis Five ways to increase COVID-19 booster uptake

5 ways to increase COVID-19 booster uptake: Analysis Although the Food and Drug Administration recently recommended a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for older Americans, the country has had to confront an ongoing struggle -- problems getting initial vaccination series, let alone first booster shots into arms. This may mean more frequent boosters until we are able to develop an annual multiple-part immunization package, having a combined COVID and influenza vaccine, for instance. YahooNews

Although the Food and Drug Administration recently recommended a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for older Americans, the country has had to confront an ongoing struggle -- problems getting initial vaccination series, let alone first booster shots into arms.

Solutions to the issue of uptake are critical because they not only affect us now, but are a problem that we will likely have to confront for years to come as COVID becomes endemic in the population. This may mean more frequent boosters until we are able to develop an annual multiple-part immunization package, having a combined COVID and influenza vaccine, for instance.

Here are the five things to know about boosters and what we can take to increase uptake nationally:

First, the science clearly shows boosters are effective. Data released last month from the L.A. County Department of Public Health shows that individuals who were vaccinated but not yet boosted had six times the protection from a COVID-19 ICU admission compared to the unvaccinated. Yet, for individuals who had the booster, this protection increased to ninefold. This translates to a 50% increased risk of an ICU stay for those fully vaccinated yet without their booster compared to those who received their booster. The bottom line here is clear: booster doses offer critical additional life-saving protection from COVID.