Nonexistent COVID-19 Vaccine Stockpile Puts Plans At Grave Risk
KEY POINTS
National health officials announced Tuesday they would send out vaccine doses instead of holding them for second shots
The announcement was welcomed until it became apparent that they had not in fact been holding any doses in reserve
The ability of states to expand COVID-19 vaccine offerings to senior is now at risk
State-level public officials are sounding the alarm after the COVID-19 vaccine stockpile they had been relying on to get Operation Warp Speed back-on-track turned out to be nonexistent. Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services, said Tuesday that instead of holding second doses back they would be sent out immediately.
January 15, 2021
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and some colleagues are urging the federal government to do more to acquire doses of the COVID019 vaccine and to allow states to make direct purchases of doses. The governor’s office has released the following:
Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar expressing their frustrations with the Trump administration’s botched COVID-19 vaccine distribution and urged him to grant permission for states to directly purchase doses of the safe and effective vaccine. The governors also urged the Trump administration to purchase as many doses of the safe and effective vaccine as possible so states can get more shots in arms in the coming weeks.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
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Saturday s GoLocal vaccination update provides the most up-to-date information and data on the Rhode Island vaccination program as well as emerging national and global developments.
1. According to the CDC and updated on Friday, RI Is Falling Behind: RI administered 47,548, doses (less than 3,000 administered in past 24-hours) Of the vaccine doses received, RI has utilized 44% a drop from 53%.
2. Wealthy Hospital Board Members Jump the Vaccination Priority List
Despite promises by the RI Department of Heath that vaccine doses would be targeted to medical professionals, first responders, nursing home staff and residents, etc. The Providence Journal unveiled that non-healthcare, wealthy donors and board members of Lifespan and trustees of Care New England received the opportunity to get vaccine shots out of turn a development that is sure to undermine any confidence in the state’s vaccine program.
Some state and local leaders in the country said Friday that if the federal government doesn’t increase shipments as they believed it would, their vaccination programs’ reach will be dramatically limited.