(CNN) – The United States is in an “absolute race against time” to vaccinate as many people as possible before new variants of Covid-19 take over the country, an expert said Sunday.
“We now have a little room to breathe, but if these new variants become dominant in our country, we’ll be back to where we were in November and December, and maybe worse,” said emergency physician Dr. Megan Ranney.
Several experts recently reiterated Ranney’s warning, saying that while the covid-19 numbers are heading in the right direction for now, the next few weeks may be a different story unless Americans double down on measures, double down on safety, and increase vaccinations.
At least 32 states have found cases of a variant first identified in the UK, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts have said that the variant, called B.1,1.7, appears to be more transferable.
The increase that is likely to occur with this new British variant will occur in the next six to 14 weeks, and if we see that happen […] we’re going to see something we haven’t seen in this country yet, ”said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Research and Policy for Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota, told NBC on Sunday.
But that is not everything. Last week, Minnesota officials announced that they had discovered the first US case of the P.1 variant in a traveler from Brazil. Two states also recently discovered cases of a variant first identified in South Africa that worried scientists over a mutation that could make current COVID-19 vaccines less effective.
“Despite falling numbers, this is not the time to stop taking basic precautions,” Ranney warned on Sunday. “Wear a mask, avoid indoor gatherings without a mask, and of course wash your hands and try to keep your distance from others as much as possible.”
The expert insists on a change in the vaccine strategy
Amid the push for more vaccines for a new potential surge, Osterholm said that while it’s important for people to get both doses of the two-component vaccines, the country needs a strategy change to protect more Americans than it could be.
“We still want to give everyone two doses, but I think right now, before this increase, we should give as many first doses as possible to as many people over 65 as possible to reduce serious illness and deaths in the coming weeks,” he said. against NBC.
Getting more first doses now doesn’t mean giving up a second dose, Ranney said.
“We have to count on Pfizer and Moderna, and hopefully Johnson & Johnson soon, to help fill that void,” Ranney said. “Now give everyone the doses you can and count on that increased production so that you can protect people well.”
To date, more than 25.2 million Americans have received at least the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while, according to CDC data, about 5.6 million have received both doses.
The problems facing states
Across the country, allocations and distribution issues continue to slow the pace of vaccines.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told CNN on Sunday, “If we have three problems, it’s delivery, delivery, and delivery.”
While the state has the capacity to deliver 250,000 first doses per week, Beshear said, they are only scheduled to receive about 64,000 doses, a shortage facing other states, he said.
“The only thing that is keeping us from beating this virus next month is the amount of supply we receive,” said the governor.
Meanwhile, parts of the country are facing a different problem: racial differences in vaccines.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday highlighted preliminary data showing a clear racial disparity among New Yorkers who have received vaccines to date.
“What we are clearly seeing is a particularly marked reality that many more people from white communities are getting vaccinations than people from black and Latino communities,” said de Blasio.
In response, the city has expanded its list of neighborhoods most affected by the virus and will increase reach, prioritize appointments and add new vaccine sites in those areas, among other efforts, the mayor said.
Inequality, De Blasio said, must be “tackled aggressively and creatively”.
CDC releases Super Bowl Guide
Meanwhile, following calls from health experts to double down on safety precautions, the CDC has also updated guidelines on the safest ways to watch the next Super Bowl.
The short version: Enjoy the game with only people in your household and allow other guests to join in virtually.
Attending large gatherings like the Super Bowl increases the risk of COVID-19 contraction and spread, the CDC said.
For Americans who choose to attend major Super Bowl events, such as parties to watch games, the agency made several recommendations, including calling the venue ahead of time to make sure they take safety precautions, the physical distance guidelines track, avoid cheers, use contactless payment methods, and always keep a mask on.
Maggie Fox, Ganesh Setty and Naomi Thomas from CNN contributed to this report.