ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a small portion of the population is missing out on the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I would encourage everybody in this community who’s received a single dose of Moderna or Pfizer to please go and get your second dose at your appointed time,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.

What You Need To Know

  • Data from the CDC shows a small portion of the population is missing out on the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

  • Adam Bello is pushing people to continue their vaccine series

  • Wade Norwood added that he’s not sure why people are skipping out on the second dose, but gave a list of possible reasons

The county executive is pushing people to continue their series of the COVID-19 vaccine after data from the CDC showed about 8% of people are skipping their second dose.

“I think it’s very important that we not react just to data,” Wade Norwood, Common Ground Health CEO and Co-Leader of the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, said.

Norwood believes more information is needed to understand why people are not getting their second dose.

“So I think the most important thing for us to do is to really hold true to the understanding, that for folks who are not showing up for shot one, or shot two," said Norwood. “There is not one story, there are as many stories as there are individuals.”

Norwood added that he’s not sure why people are skipping out on the second dose, but gave a list of possible reasons:

  • People could be hesitant about possible side effects from the second dose.
  • People are hesitant about the vaccine because of the brief pause of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine by the CDC.
  • Some people may have conflicts with their schedule and getting the second dose.
  • Some people are choosing a different site for their second dose which could throw off data.

Norwood warned that delaying your second dose of the vaccine could set you back in being fully vaccinated.

“The important thing is to get that second shot in the window of the first shot, so that the regiment has the efficacy and the safety that we know of the clinical trials,” said Norwood.

Most importantly, if you've missed your second scheduled dose, county leaders say to still call and get that appointment rescheduled.

“You’ve already taken the first step of getting the first dose, you need to get the second dose to get the full protection,” Bello said. “That’s what the doctors have recommended, and we would highly encourage you to do that.”