1 Vaccine Dose Helps A Lot

Michael Osterholm, an advisor to President Biden’s transition team said that even one dose of a vaccine could lessen outbreaks of infections by new strains of the virus.

One dose of Moderna’s vaccine is 80 percent effective, while one shot of Pfizer’s is only 52%. Studies have also shown that people with antibodies have more immunity after 1 vaccine dose that people without antibodies have after 2.

Osterholm said we should prepare for new variants and try to get 1 dose at least to older people. This helps slow the spread a lot more. It may not be as good as a 2nd dose but is better than nothing. He said “You know, what we have to do now is also anticipate this and understand that we’re going to have change quickly. As fast as we’re opening restaurants, we’re likely going to be closing them in the near term.”