Should we allocate more COVID-19 vaccine doses to non-vaccinated individuals?

ABSTRACT: Following the approval by the FDA of two COVID-19 vaccines, which are administered in two doses three to four weeks apart, we simulate the effects of various vaccine distribution policies on the cumulative number of infections and deaths in the United States in the presence of shocks to the supply of vaccines. Our forecasts suggest that allocating more than 50% of available doses to individuals who have not received their first dose can significantly increase the number of lives saved and significantly reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. We find that a 50% allocation saves on average 33% more lives, and prevents on average 32% more infections relative to a policy that guarantees a second dose within the recommended time frame to all individuals who have already received their first d

SUBMITTER: Ben Chaouch Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10022372 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature