Above average is still failing on boosters

Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.

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As anyone who's been a student knows, the percentage of correct answers on tests or homework correlates to the grade received.

An "A" typically goes to the hard workers who achieved 90% or better, a "B" to those who got 80-89%, a "C" for 70-79% and so on.

It is deeply concerning to apply that same performance evaluation to the nation's handling of a critically important assignment: protecting our elderly family and friends from the still-dangerous COVID-19 virus.

Seniors are among those most vulnerable to becoming severely ill or dying from COVID, a trend that has accelerated since 2020. "Today, nearly 9 in 10 COVID deaths are in people 65 or older — the highest rate ever," according to a Washington Post analysis published this week.

And yet, with the worst of the winter virus season still ahead and treatments known as monoclonal antibodies losing effectiveness, the nation isn't close to achieving a passing grade when it comes to ensuring that seniors have maximum protection.

The vaccine remains medicine's most potent tool against COVID, but staying up-to-date on boosters is vital. With that in mind, it's stunning to see how many people age 65 and up have not yet gotten the latest shot recommended: the "bivalent" booster that targets two key subvariants of the still-evolving COVID virus.

Nationally, just 31% of people in this age group have had the shot, according to Statista.com. The situation in Minnesota is better but still not ideal.

The state ranks third overall for the percentage of people 65-plus who had this shot, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Roughly 53% of seniors here have been boosted. Only Maine and Vermont are ahead of us, posting 55.5% and 53.7% respectively.

While it's a positive that Minnesota compares favorably, it's still frustrating to have close to half of this fragile population without the booster. If the standard school grading metric were applied to Minnesota, it and every other state would be flunking.

What makes this especially troubling is that the nation had success getting seniors vaccinated initially. Nearly 94% of Americans 65 and older have completed the primary series (two shots for Pfizer and Moderna). We know how to get this done.

Nor are there shortages of the bivalent vaccine. Supplies are plentiful, according to state officials.

The public can expect messaging from the state Department of Health (MDH) about the booster. According to the department, "Throughout December, MDH is reminding Minnesotans to 'Celebrate Safely,' which includes vaccination and other recommended prevention steps. MDH is also finalizing a paid public awareness advertising campaign that will highlight recommendations for boosters (as well as flu shots) to a wide range of age groups."

That's helpful, but given elders' viral vulnerability, perhaps the campaign could include a more targeted message for this age group. This would be a good use of Gov. Tim Walz's bully pulpit. Are there prominent older Minnesotans who might be willing to get a booster during a gubernatorial media event or share their story another way?

The state's nursing home industry is also working to address the gap. But officials said it's a challenge due to harmful vaccine disinformation.

Administering the vaccine can also be a barrier. "Unlike influenza vaccines, which can be ordered and distributed on the same day, it's not the case for the COVID-19 vaccine due to storage and reporting requirements," said Kari Thurlow, president and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota. "The long-term care providers have to schedule clinics to administer the bivalent vaccine to residents, which often takes weeks, given pharmacist shortages."

Again, none of these concerns is unique to Minnesota, and there are states with far more dismal bivalent vaccine uptake. But being above average is not an excuse for inaction. Troubleshooting nursing home vaccine-administration issues is in order. More focused messaging in Minnesota counties where the bivalent booster uptake lags in the 65-and-up age group would also help. In Roseau and Clearwater Counties, for example, this percentage is below 30%.

A stronger spotlight on the problem is worth a try and might even boost the bivalent uptake in other age groups. To determine whether or when a bivalent booster is recommended for you, go to tinyurl.com/CDCVaxEligibility.

"For most vaccines, it takes about two weeks to reach peak benefit, so getting it done now especially before holiday gatherings is a great idea," said Dr. Alex Vosooney, president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.