“Even when we reach endemicity — when nearly everyone has baseline immunity from either infection or vaccination — the U.S. could be facing tens of millions of infections from the coronavirus every year, thanks to waning immunity and viral evolution,” she wrote. “But with vaccines available, not every case of COVID-19 is created equal.”
Ms. Zhang said experts need to come to an agreement regarding what is trying to be prevented, as different goals require prioritization of different strategies.
“Once we’ve defined what we are trying to prevent, we can define thresholds for lifting and, if necessary, reinstating COVID-19 measures,” Ms. Zhang wrote.
One plausible goal, Ms. Zhang said, is minimizing COVID-19’s impact on hospitals. In order to relieve overwhelmed hospitals, however, vaccination of elderly residents needs to increase.
Céline Gounder, MD, an infectious-disease expert at New York University added the risks of long COVID-19 also need to be considered.
“Hard questions lie ahead, and the answers require political will,” Ms. Zhang concluded. “But first, we have to stop avoiding them. We need a goal.”
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
