Prognosis

U.S. Vaccine Hesitation Could Mean 4.6 Million More Covid Cases

  • Americans’ hesitation and increased contact is “perfect storm”
  • Penn Wharton Budget Model forecasts 25% to remain unvaccinated
Vaccine Skepticism: 20% of U.S. Adults Resist Getting a Shot
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The U.S. could experience a “perfect storm” for a jump in Covid-19 cases this year if Americans remain unvaccinated while increasing social activity, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model.

An estimated one-quarter of Americans will opt out of coronavirus vaccinations this year, the non-partisan research organization said in a report. If activities involving personal contact surpass 70% of pre-pandemic levels, an additional 4.6 million people could catch the virus this year.