New COVID boosters off to a slower start than previous flu vaccine campaigns

New data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest the nation's rollout of updated COVID-19 booster shots is off to a slower start, compared to previous vaccination campaigns for both COVID-19 and the annual flu shot.

Through September 28, the CDC reports the U.S. was averaging nearly 550,000 doses of any COVID-19 vaccine administered a day nationwide. 

That's slower than the pace of the Biden administration's previous large-scale booster campaign last fall. One week after the CDC expanded eligibility for additional shots on Oct. 21, 2021, the daily average of first booster shots had surged to more than 860,000 per day.