Current:Home > InvestHow many Americans still haven't caught COVID-19? CDC publishes final 2022 estimates-LoTradeCoin
How many Americans still haven't caught COVID-19? CDC publishes final 2022 estimates
View Date:2024-12-23 22:34:10
Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults and older teens had still not caught COVID-19 by the end of last year, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while 77.5% had antibodies from at least one prior infection. The figures are based on the final batch of results from the agency's nationwide studies of antibodies in Americans ages 16 and up.
Federal officials often cited estimates from these studies in moving to simplify vaccine recommendations and loosen COVID-19 restrictions, as the Biden administration wound down the public health emergency earlier this year.
Virtually every American ages 16 and older — 96.7% — had antibodies either from getting vaccinated, surviving the virus or some combination of the two by December, the CDC now estimates. The study found 77.5% had at least some of their immunity from a prior infection.
Of all age groups, seniors have the smallest share of Americans with at least one prior infection, at 56.5% of people ages 65 and over. Young adults and teens had the largest proportion of people with a prior infection, at 87.1% of people ages 16 to 29.
Among the 47 states with data in the CDC dashboard, Vermont has the lowest prevalence of past infections, with 64.4% of Vermonters having antibodies from a prior infection. Iowa had the largest share of residents with a prior infection, at 90.6%.
Rates were similar among men and women. Black and White people also have similar prior infection rates, between 75% and 80%.
Among other racial and ethnic groups, Asian Americans had the smallest proportion of people with antibodies from a prior infection, at 66.1%, whileHispanic people had the highest, at 80.6%.
CDC estimates for children have already been published through the end of last year, using other data from commercial testing laboratories. According to those figures, a little more than 9 in 10 Americans under 18 had survived COVID-19 at least once through December 2022.
"Very difficult to measure"
The federal figures on seroprevalence — meaning test results showing evidence of antibodies in the blood — had helped reveal how much the virus has spread undetected or underreported.
Just 54.9% of all adults currently think they have ever had COVID-19, according to Census Bureau survey results published by the CDC through mid-June.
Having antibodies from a prior infection does not mean people are protected against catching COVID again. Immunity wanes over time, with the steepest declines among people without so-called "hybrid" immunity from both an infection and vaccination.
Experts also now know that the risk posed by the virus to each person depends in part on their unique combination of previous vaccinations and infecting variants, the CDC told a panel of its outside vaccine advisers at a meeting late last month.
- CDC tracking new COVID variant EU.1.1
About 17% of COVID hospitalizations by the end of last year were from reinfections, according to a CDC study spanning data from 18 health departments.
Increasing seroprevalence has also changed how vaccine effectiveness is measured.
"It's become very difficult to measure prior infection in vaccine effectiveness studies. So if you think about the typical person being hospitalized that's picked up in one of these studies, they may have had half a dozen prior infections that they did a nasal swab at home and were never reported," the CDC's Ruth Link-Gelles said at the meeting.
Link-Gelles said vaccine effectiveness studies should now be interpreted "in the context" of most Americans already having previous antibodies for the virus.
This means researchers are now focused on measuring how much additional protection each year's new COVID booster shots will offer everybody, regardless of whether they got all their previous shots.
- In:
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Coronavirus Disease 2019
- COVID-19
CBS News reporter covering public health and the pandemic.
veryGood! (98849)
Related
- Worker trapped under rubble after construction accident in Kentucky
- See the moment a Florida police dog suddenly jumped off a 75-foot-bridge – but was saved by his leash
- This week on Sunday Morning (March 24)
- Want to book a last-minute 2024 spring break trip? Experts share tips on saving money on travel
- NBA players express concern for ex-player Kyle Singler after social media post
- California work safety board approves indoor heat rules, but another state agency raises objections
- Using public funds or facilities for gender-affirming care banned by GOP-led Idaho Legislature
- Kate, Princess of Wales, says she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy
- Amazon Black Friday 2024 sales event will start Nov. 21: See some of the deals
- Elizabeth Berkley Pays Homage to Showgirls With Bejeweled Glam
Ranking
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- DC attorney general argues NHL’s Capitals, NBA’s Wizards must play in Washington through 2047
- NCAA Tournament winners and losers: Kentucky's upset loss highlights awful day for SEC
- Pennsylvania lawmakers push to find out causes of death for older adults in abuse or neglect cases
- Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
- Pennsylvania lawmakers push to find out causes of death for older adults in abuse or neglect cases
- March Madness games today: Everything to know about NCAA Tournament schedule on Friday
- Lawmakers who passed a bill to lure nuclear energy to Kentucky say coal is still king
Recommendation
-
Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
-
Caitlin Clark has fan in country superstar Tim McGraw, who wore 22 jersey for Iowa concert
-
Kevin Bacon to attend prom at high school where 'Footloose' was filmed for 40th anniversary
-
FACT FOCUS: Tyson Foods isn’t hiring workers who came to the U.S. illegally. Boycott calls persist
-
Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
-
No. 13 seed Yale stuns SEC tournament champion Auburn in another March Madness upset
-
Chemotherapy: A quick explainer in light of Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis
-
NCAA Tournament winners and losers: Kentucky's upset loss highlights awful day for SEC