Progress offers hope that the brutal fight against the virus is slowly coming to an end.
But we are not there yet.
“Where the pandemic came from really depends on our collective behavior and our continued commitment to follow the social health measures we know to stop the spread of the virus: to wear well-fitting masks, to avoid crowding into crowds. travel, social distancing and washing hands, “the director added.
And while advances in vaccines are encouraging, the country continues to face challenges, Walensky said, “including limited vaccine supply, ongoing vaccine hesitation and growing myths and disinformation related to Covid-19 vaccines.”
Some states announce that more people are now eligible for a shot
States are working to address these challenges and increase their vaccination efforts, hoping to get more shots into more arms faster. This week, several state leaders announced that they are opening up the current admission requirements and allowing more residents to get a vaccine.
Alaska has taken this farthest by making vaccines available to anyone living or working in the state who is at least 16 years old – making it the first state in the country.
Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is the only one available for people 16 years or older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are limited to 18 years or older.
In Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday that the state allows anyone 16 years or older who has certain high-risk conditions to make an appointment with vaccination from Thursday.
Dr. Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in an effort to make the distribution of vaccines more equitable, Vermont will accompany household members who are eligible for residents who are black, indigenous or people of color (BIPOC), to make appointments. to make vaccines. Next week.
“We came to this decision after hearing from our suppliers over the weekend that the appointments were a bit slack and that they were able to accommodate more people,” Edwards said.
“We also had a very stable supply (of vaccine), especially from the Moderna and the Pfizer, so we feel comfortable about what lies ahead,” he added.
CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Americans Are Not Final
But these guidelines are not final, said dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview with NPR. “I quickly believe that you are going to come up with these guidelines,” he said.
Fauci said he is constantly communicating with the CDC and that guidance is likely to evolve as the agency responds to new information as it enters.
‘They have a large group of experienced epidemiologists trying to make these decisions based on a combination of real data they collect every day in real time, with modeling studies, as well as a good dose we call real. -time common sense, ‘he added.
In its new leadership, the CDC noted that its travel recommendations have not changed: the agency says people should delay travel and stay home.
The CDC told CNN on Tuesday it could update travel guidelines for fully vaccinated when science is vaccinated more clearly and more people against Covid-19.
“CDC can update its travel recommendations for fully vaccinated people as more people are vaccinated and we learn more about how vaccines work in the real world. This is something we will be watching in the United States,” said CDC spokesman Jason McDonald. said in a statement. email to CNN.
CNN’s Ben Tinker, Will Brown, Lauren Mascarenhas, Gisela Crespo, Jen Christensen, Christopher Rios, Andy Rose and Kelsie Smith contributed to this report.