The number of patients receiving their latest COVID-19 booster shots is off to a slow start since the vaccine was made available a little more than a month ago across New York state.

What You Need To Know

  • New York state rolled out latest Moderna COVID booster last month
  • Since then, less than 5% of the upstate population has been vaccinated
  • Pharmacists say the demand is low and the supply was late to smaller pharmacies

Pharmacists say not only is it slow going into arms, the supply also took a while to reach their refrigerated shelves.

"It's a different time than it was in the midst of [the COVID pandemic],” said pharmacist Bradley Arthur. “And unfortunately, as a small business, what we found was many of the vaccine supply was going to the very, very large entities. So it's been difficult and challenging [and] frustrating on many levels.”

Recent data shows a little more than 518,000 people across the state, outside of New York City, have received the Moderna Spikevax, a new variation touted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be the most effective on the market.

While that number is expected to climb, it only represents about 4.5% of the upstate population.

"I think there was a little bit of fatigue, to be honest with you, from the last wave,” said Arthur. “You know, people are trying to move beyond COVID.”

Experts say while the low number of those getting a COVID vaccine is not surprising, it is disappointing, as the vaccine helps decrease the risk and minimize the severity.

"I think people have to realize, though we'd like to be done with COVID, it's still out there,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, infectious disease specialist. “We're likely going to have an increased number of cases as we head into the holidays and the cooler weather, where we spend more time indoors.”

While the vaccine is now readily available, pharmacists like Arthur say they need to get the word out to help boost the numbers.

"I just think the public in general has to approach this like they do the flu season. It should become part of your annual routine," said Arthur.

He adds this is especially important for the most vulnerable populations, older Americans and those who are immunocompromised.

On the flip side, this is not recommended for kids under 12, as parents of younger children are asked to consult their pediatrician.