Vaccines, treatments reduced public health threat posed by COVID-19, explaining different approach in 2024 compared to 2020
Over time, COVID-19 has become a smaller threat to public health than it was in 2020 and 2021. The combination of vaccination, better treatments, widespread immunity among the population, and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants mean that COVID-19 patients now experience milder disease and are less likely to die. These improvements have reduced the overall risk posed by COVID-19, justifying a change in guidelines.