Over 50% of adults in the US are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Today, the U.S. will hit 50% of adult Americans that are fully vaccinated," White House senior COVID advisor Andy Slavitt said. "This is a major milestone in our country's vaccination efforts."
In the next two weeks, the number will be 61.6%, and the CDC shows that 49.5% of the total population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. 25 states and Washington, D.C. have vaccinated at least 50% of their adult populations, and nine states have administered at least one shot to 70% of adults.
The seven-day average of new cases per day was 22,877 cases per day, a decline of 25% over the past week.
"We are on a good downward path, but we are not quite out of the woods yet," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said. "Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are all declining because of the millions of people who have stepped forward and done their part to protect their health and the health of their communities to move us out of this pandemic."
Many independent labs are offering tests to help people know whether the vaccine actually created antibodies against the infection.
The blood test looks for an immune reaction to the “spike protein” present in the vaccine and the virus.
“It will give you some peace of mind, some reassurance, that there is a level of protection and that your immune system is having a positive reaction to the vaccine,” said Travis Noone with Test My Shot Labs.
Patients need to wait at least two to three weeks after the final vaccine, and the cost of the test, is around $130, which is not covered by insurance but can be paid for with healthcare spending accounts.
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