News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined this morning by Dr. Tom McGinn to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and the more infectious delta variant.

The delta variant is now responsible for about 1 in 4 infections in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.

The CDC reports 67% of adults in the United States have had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 58% are fully vaccinated. A new poll finds that among those who are not vaccinated, 74% say they're unlikely to get a shot.

Vaccination rates in the United States have hit a plateau, dropping to fewer than 1 million shots per day in recent weeks. That rate has persisted despite the approval of the vaccines for children ages 12 to 15 and an array of incentives and strategies to promote immunizations. When we look at these rates, how important are those numbers?

The highly contagious delta variant has been identified in all 50 states, and accounts for more than 26% of new COVID-19 cases nationwide.

How effective are the authorized COVID-19 vaccines at protecting us from the delta variant?

In December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved the distribution of mRNA coronavirus vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna under the agency's emergency use authorization provision, which permits an accelerated approval process for medications and treatments during a public health emergency. The approvals were granted after the agency reviewed the results of clinical trials that involved more than 70,000 participants. Until the coronavirus pandemic, the agency had never given an emergency use authorization to a new vaccine.

In theory, full approval should be imminent, since Pfizer applied for full approval in early May and Moderna asked for full approval on June 1. Why have we not seen the full approval yet?