Throughout much of the U.S., COVID-19 vaccine interest is tapering off.
What does that mean for achieving herd immunity?
The U.S. has been keeping a good pace and has ample vaccine supply, but vaccinations are slowing down, said Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, adjunct senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D.C. and chief health economist for Microclinic International.
On Thursday's edition of KCBS Radio’s "Ask An Expert," Feigl-Ding said the key is to reach that 75-90% needed to achieve herd immunity.
He noted that there are a variety of reasons that people may have for not wanting the vaccine, and those who haven’t gotten the shot yet aren’t all anti-vaxxers.
"Obviously, hesitancy is one issue," Feigl-Ding said. "Another reason is, some people don’t want to take time off. Some people are fearful of getting wiped out for a day or two and then they can’t go to work."
Others may have to travel hours to get their shot. To try and remedy that, FEMA clinics are now bringing the vaccines to more isolated, rural areas.
"The U.S. is sending FEMA teams to go into these remote areas for one or two weeks at a time, to try and vaccinate as many of these people who are in these places that don’t have many pharmacies, don’t have many state clinics," he said. "They’re trying to reach these small pockets of holdouts."
However, there is about 15% of the adult population that seems to be very resistant to vaccination, Feigl-Ding said, noting that religious and anti-vaxxer holdouts are the hardest nuts to crack.
Past, natural COVID-19 infections may help with herd immunity in those groups, said the epidemiologist and health economist. He said those who were infected with the coronavirus likely have protection equivalent to one shot of a two-dose vaccine.
"If you add those, you can get to the 75%, 85% threshold needed for good herd immunity," Feigl-Ding added. "Even if we don’t get it nationwide, we will get it in certain pockets - certain urban areas, certain suburban areas that are willing to vaccinate."
He expected pediatric shots to be available later this summer or in fall.
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