States, counties and cities say coronavirus vaccines are running out, leading to the cancellation or postponement of appointments for thousands of people, even as the country tries to increase the rate of coronavirus. vaccinations.
Health officials are desperate for the federal government’s clarity on vaccine shipments, saying they need exact numbers to plan weeks in advance.
In contrast, the figures have come in just one week at a time and have been inconsistent.
The Biden administration has pledged to work with states to improve communication, but is currently working to find out what vaccine is available.
“Allocation and supply are critical areas in which unfortunately we did not have much visibility,” Jeff Zients
Jeff ZientsBiden pressured to make more shots of COVID-19 Fauci: “Let’s not start from scratch” in the distribution of vaccines These are the executive orders that Biden has signed in the first three days in office MORE, Told reporters the coordinator of President Biden’s COVID-19.
“We will work to provide projections on supply. We hear again and again from local rulers and leaders who just don’t know what supply will come and can’t plan. We will absolutely do it, over the next few days, as we get it we make sure we we are communicating with states and localities so that they can prepare effectively, ”Zients added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states have only administered 47 percent of the nearly 40 million doses administered. But experts say these figures do not represent a complete picture and do not necessarily mean that vaccines are sitting unused.
“I know there’s a perception that the vaccine hasn’t come out fast enough,” but it’s not, said Thomas Dobbs, a Mississippi state health agent.
Speaking on a podcast with the Association of State and Territorial Officers, Dobbs said Mississippi will run out of doses soon.
“Most of the doses we’ve given to health systems to distribute and are really starting to get rid of them. I think we’ll soon run out of vaccine and there will be people saying, ‘Now it’s my turn. Why can’t I go up?’ at the table? ”Dobbs said.
Health experts and federal officials have said for months that initial COVID-19 vaccines will be scarce.
During the first two weeks after the vaccines obtained emergency clearance, states had difficulty administering them quickly enough. Now, demand is greater, states have streamlined their systems of administration, and supply cannot continue.
“States made adjustments. They are opening [eligibility] to more people. But, you know, their allocation doesn’t increase, so that’s why you see states calling for more doses, ”said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.
The number of doses of vaccines sent has not changed much since the end of December. In the last days of the Trump administration, however, officials recommended that states be eligible for anyone over the age of 65, as well as people under the age of 65 with a pre-existing condition.
These moves put even more pressure on the already limited supplies of the states.
States also thought they would get double the number of new doses this week after Trump health officials said they would no longer retain reinforcements.
But it turned out that was not the case, as the government no longer had a reservation.
Meanwhile, demand has far exceeded supply in some areas. This week, New York City had to reschedule 23,000 appointments after running out of city supply for the first doses.
Mayor Bill de Blasio
Bill de BlasioFauci said the second shot of COVID-19 vaccine left him out for 24 hours the suspended Ohio vaccine dealer after storing it incorrectly, spoiling 890 doses. Overnight healthcare: Biden signs first executive actions as president | Amazon offers to help Biden with vaccine distribution Pence delivers the coronavirus task report to Biden MORE (D) sent a letter to the Biden administration on Friday calling for flexibility to use second-dose supply to “bridge the gap to a time of increased production” and maximize the number of first-dose doses administered.
In San Francisco, city officials were worried about running out of supply, but got last-minute recognition when the state allowed them to resume use of a batch of Modern vaccines that had been taken out of use. for possible security issues.
However, health officials say they need more information from the federal government.
“The unpredictable and erratic flow of the vaccine in San Francisco makes it impossible for the city ‘s health care providers. [Department of Public Health] to plan properly, ”the city’s COVID Command Center said in a statement to The Hill.
The Biden administration has been praised for being more open to the challenges of fighting coronavirus, but officials have not explained how they can increase the supply of vaccines.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiBiden, under pressure to produce more COVID-19 shots. Biden and Trudeau agree to meet next month. Democrats are seeking answers to the impact of the Russian cyberattack on the Justice Department He said Thursday that engagement with states and local officials will be a priority, but gave no example of guidance in the future.
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo: Three National Guardsmen Killed After Military Helicopter Accident in New York New York City Reschedules 23,000 Vaccination Appointments Due to Supply Problems Pence Delivers Biden Report to Working Group about coronavirus MORE (D) recently said that the National Association of Governors would hold weekly meetings with Zients. They are still working on the schedule.