Navigating the Evolving Landscape of COVID-19: Strategies to Increase Vaccine Confidence and Improve Vaccination Rates in the United States.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on every individual in the United States. The launch of the COVID-19 vaccines is estimated to have averted millions of deaths and reduced over 18 million COVID-19-related hospitalizations. In September 2023, the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, which includes a monovalent component that corresponds to the omicron variant XBB.1.5, reflecting the predominant circulating variant at the time of strain selection, was approved and was recommended for use in all people ≥ 6 months of age. Despite this recommendation, the US uptake of the updated COVID-19 vaccines over the 2023-2024 season has been far from optimal, placing many people at unnecessary risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the current state of COVID-19 in 2023-2024 and barriers to vaccine uptake. With the continued evolution of the virus, the potential for more virulent variants, reduced public acceptance of vaccination, and the potential barriers that contributed to low vaccine uptake are explored to provide solutions for improving COVID-19 protection for future seasons.