Half of Adults Have Heard Little or Nothing About New Covid Boosters, Survey Finds

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/health/omicron-booster-covid.html

Free link: https://archive.ph/hJMNM

The new, redesigned Covid booster, which now protects against Omicron and its extremely contagious subvariants, appears to have a visibility problem.

Federal authorities authorized the shot at the end of August, but by mid- to late September, nearly half of adults had heard little or nothing about it, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, based on the latest of its monthly surveys about attitudes toward the Covid vaccines.

That could have troubling implications. The Biden administration has been touting the booster as a means of warding off a fresh fall or winter surge of the virus.

“America is not rushing out to get the new booster,” said Drew Altman, the president of the Kaiser Family Foundation. “Most are only dimly aware of it, which is not surprising in a country that seems to have mostly moved on.” He added, “The exception may be older folks, who are at greater risk and early on are more interested in the new booster.”

This is a failure.

[empedocles]

1. Wow

[empedocles]

2. Wow

rw media not covering the booster?

[JohnSJ]

3. No, many Americans are a failure. When they voted for trump in 2016, despite the fact that

he was a known con man, racist, bigot, and sexist

[Sympthsical]

4. Studying Covid in microbio this week

In the middle of it I looked up and thought, "Wait, was I supposed to get a booster in there somewhere?"

No idea. No one's contacted me, told me, sent a mailer, etc. My partner's gotten them, because he's in health care. I'm not even sure if I'm eligible. Should I just bop on over to CVS?

Boosters for people under 50 just kinda disappeared from our collective attention span.

I'm up for my annual physical in November, so maybe then. Need to sort out all my vaccinations before bopping into RN stuff anyway.

Edit: For clarity - I have heard nothing about this Omicron booster. Not a single thing. And I read the news everyday. It has not come up, certainly not in any way targeted at a younger age group.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. Everybody is eligible to get this booster. You can register at the usual big-box retail pharmacy

places or check with your PCP if you have one.

[Sympthsical]

13. Just made an appointment at CVS

They have it available. It's next to my grocery shopping anyway. Figured I'd just slip in while running the usual errands. (Also, flu shot!)

This semester at school has seen a return to half my classes in person. I dunno what these people have. Better safe.

Thanks for the heads up!

[thucythucy]

31. Except my pharmacy (Walgreens)

is either out of the vaccine, or tells me I'm not eligible -- though I know I am.

That's their absurdly fucked up website. When I call my local pharmacy to try to schedule an appointment on my phone, I'm told "You have to go through the website."

Which doesn't work. Catch 22, anyone?

This has been going on for days.

Meanwhile, my PCP isn't doing vaccines. "Go to your pharmacy."

I suppose I should give up on Walgreens and try some other big box, though these will be far less convenient, since I don't drive.

Amazing how we as a society were able in the 1950s to vaccinate an entire population for polio in only a few years, all without computers and websites and AI. And we were able to inform pretty much everyone of the need to be vaccinated, without talk radio and cable "news". How on earth did we survive without the "benefits" of our slick and wonderful--and highly profitable for some--technology?

Edited to add: I just now tried scheduling at CVS. Nearest site they can give me is 20+ miles away.

[Scrivener7]

11. I read about it here.

[dewsgirl]

12. I watch the news constantly and when I'm not my SO is, there is a

new vaccine? I didn't know that either.🤷 Thank you, now I know we need a new one.

[dewsgirl]

14. I watch the news constantly and when I'm not my SO is, there is a

new vaccine? I didn't know that either.🤷 Thank you, now I know we need a new one.

[Shermann]

5. It was all over the local news for about a week and then dropped off nt

[brewens]

6. As long as it's the right half, I guess I'm okay with that. I would rather they get vaccinated and

beat COVID if it can be beat, but if they can't even be asked to cooperate, good riddance if that's what they prefer.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. What is the right half?

Christ.

[neverforget]

7. Wife and I just got the latest Covid vaccine today along with the flu shot.

We're doing our part but unfortunately not enough people are getting the shots.

[RockRaven]

10. Jesus Christ. Our society is so fucking stupid and ridiculous.

We don't deserve nice things.

[jimfields33]

20. Where would expect him to do?

Perhaps a campaign like they did with the previous ones would work. Obviously people are willing to get the shot except for a very small portion of the people. Most did get the two shots. knowledge is power.

[Backseat Driver]

15. Flu and bi-valent (original + omicron) Pfizer CoVid booster on the agenda for October.

But not on the same day because we really want to know which gave a reaction - Five months since 2nd Pfizer booster; annual flu shot due (hope they picked the right strains/variants, LOL!) DH meets the public and dirty money daily and we are seniors with minor health issues. Have mask; will travel--if and when there's a close crowd or again as required.

[samnsara]

18. i did the same as you..the pfizer #4 shot last week the flu shot this week

..neither more than a slightly sore arm...

[moonscape]

30. My oncologist suggested I wait for flu vaccine

until mid to late Oct so it would give protection longer during the winter. So there’s another benefit to waiting

[leftstreet]

16. Why do we need boosters if the pandemic is over?

[samnsara]

17. i just got mine..pfizer..no side effects

[Emile]

19. If more knew about Covid Penis they would be more

concerned.

[Scrivener7]

21. Absolutely. And now it's going to take them by surprise.

[CrispyQ]

22. I got a text notice just yesterday about the new vax

from Colorado.gov.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. That Seems Preposterous

There are PSAs here EVERY day & CVS & Walgreens runs spots on national TV channels (multiple) several times per day. The stores themselves have signs in their windows promoting COVUD. flu, & shingles vaccines all over the countrym
If people say they are unaware of boosters, they either completely stupid & oblivious, or they're lying.
I disagree there is any failure except on the part of ignorant fools.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

26. .

I disagree there is any failure except on the part of ignorant fools.

You should tell the people in this thread who say they didn't know there was a new vaccine.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. I Stand By My Statement

Nobody should be ignorant of the existence of boosters.
You're free to pretend that the particular formulation is relevant.
Nobody on this thread is unaware of the value of boosters.
This poll is nonsense & the results are a non-story.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

29. lol what on earth

[tavernier]

38. Every grocery store and drug store that I've been in lately

all have signs and arrows and lanes to stand in to get Covid protection, be it initial Covid shots or the latest boosters, as well as flu shots. Ads run on TV, on line and radio all the time. If you don’t know about the protection out there for Covid, it’s your own fault. I’m 75 and my eyes and ears aren’t nearly as sharp as most younger folks, but I had no trouble walking into a Walmart and getting the latest Covid booster last week.

[Elessar Zappa]

25. It's been everywhere in the real media.

If rightwing media isn’t covering it, then so be it. Their viewers can all get COVID and croak for all I care.

[GoCubsGo]

37. Yes, I have been seeing ads left and right.

Even on PBS, where the CDC, NIH, and SCDHEC have been running them regularly.

[MerryBlooms]

28. Getting my omicron and flu shots next week.

I listen to JPR in southern Oregon while commuting, many PSA and commercials encouraging vax. Doubt the other radio stations are, all rw owned Sinclair down here.

[Talitha]

32. Got mine at 3pm - local pharmacy... 65+ flu shot, too (I'm 70).

Covid booster area has a lollipop/ice cream cone bandaid.
Flu shot area has a smileyface bandaid.

Life is good.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

33. This is sad

Everyone in my family has gotten their booster other than my son who has a shot scheduled on Friday

[Tree Lady]

34. Hard to find in my town

One place told me to call back in a few weeks, others no appts. Doctor said if you have had all 4 shots you can't get new one at their office. They are saving what they have.

[we can do it]

36. Keep trying.

[wsulik]

35. I tried to research this myself just a few days ago...

Last edited Sat Oct 1, 2022, 01:30 AM - Edit history (1)

and none of the websites I went on gave the new shots as an option. I tried Walgreens, Walmart and King Soopers.

My PCP is not getting the new shot.

I guess I'm out of luck!

Oops! I didn't read far enough. They are giving the updated vaccine at Walgreens. Made my appointment!

[Emile]

39. We are getting our covid booster along with the senior flu

shot on Monday.