Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in the Context of Varying Community Transmission Levels and Vaccination Coverage

• Published in: MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report Vol. 70; no. 30; pp. 1044 - 1047
• Main Authors: Christie, Athalia, Brooks, John T, Hicks, Lauri A, Sauber-Schatz, Erin K, Yoder, Jonathan S, Honein, Margaret A
• Format: Journal Article Newsletter
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta U.S. Government Printing Office 30.07.2021; U.S. Center for Disease Control; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Community; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Decision making; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Full Report; Health aspects; Health care; Illnesses; Immunization; Infections; Morbidity; Mortality; Pandemics; Prevention; Public health; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Vaccination; Vaccines; Viral diseases; United States > US
• ISSN: 0149-2195; 1545-861X
• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7030e2

What is already known about this topic? COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are effective against severe illness and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, current U.S. coverage is uneven. Implementation of layered prevention strategies reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission. What is added by this report? Given the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, local decision-makers should assess the following factors to inform the need for layered prevention strategies across a range of settings: level of SARS-CoV-2 community transmission, health system capacity, vaccination coverage, capacity for early detection of increases in COVID-19 cases, and populations at risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. What are the implications for public health practice? Although increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic, additional layered prevention strategies will be needed in the short-term to minimize preventable morbidity and mortality.