State leaders say the narrow billion-dollar fund needed to successfully deliver the Covit-19 vaccine to all Americans who want to be vaccinated is the June goal of health officials.
The federal government is providing the vaccine with syringes, needles, masks and shields. But state leaders need to hire medical workers, provide social benefits and education, set up vaccine clinics and ensure storage capacity for vaccines. Some states are concerned about obtaining adequate supplies, such as gloves and gowns, to protect health workers and vaccinators.
Officials in several states said they were spending what they needed to vaccinate residents. Some said that if Congress does not provide additional funding or the federal government does not repay a large portion of their spending, it may force spending cuts in areas such as education.
Congressmen are wrestling with the $ 908 billion corona virus relief package, and assistance to state and local governments has been a sticking point.
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A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had sent more than $ 300 million to states to support the flu and Govt-19 vaccination program.
“Every dose has already been paid,” a senior White House executive said in a December 7 press conference. “Syringes and syringes needed for vaccination will be combined with vaccines, and they have already been injected. We provide dry ice with vaccines for cold storage. “
Pfizer has loaded Covid-19 vaccines into trucks and started distributing them in the United States, with the first vaccinations set to begin on Monday. The WSJ explains how the most urgent vaccination campaign in the United States over the decades has unfolded. Photo: Mori Cash / Pool / Shutterstock
States need $ 8.4 billion for the vaccine program, Pennsylvania Health Secretary and president of the State and Regional Health Officers Association, Dr. Rachel Levine, told a Senate hearing Thursday.
“This will not be a short-term move, he said, adding that states will face a challenge in” competing with each other for resources “just as they are looking for safety equipment in the spring.
At a time when state tax revenues are declining due to the epidemic, financial demands are on strike, with some states facing budget deficits.
President Trump spoke at the Operation Warp Speed event Tuesday at the White House.
Photo:
Oliver Contreras / CNP / Zuma Press
The Trump administration is working to produce and deliver 300 million doses of vaccines in Operation Warp Speed, with initial doses available by January. Vaccines are distributed to states that determine where they go.
Lena Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner and professor of health policy at George Washington University, said: “States are very extended. “They run a marathon at sprint speed with very little support. It would be a shame if all the efforts of the warp speed for development were not the fast pace for delivery.
According to a November report by the government’s Office of Accountability, one-third of states said they were “greatly” or “completely” concerned about the availability of adequate supplies to administer the Govt-19 vaccine.
Deficiencies and financial woes may slow the pace of vaccinations, which health officials say will require businesses to reopen and the economy to start faster.
State Budget Director Robert Mujica said New York State estimates its vaccine distribution effort will cost up to $ 1 billion. Approximately 75% of planned costs are staff-related, including vaccinations, hiring and training of physicians and support staff.
Other costs include logistics such as refrigeration for vaccines to maintain a certain temperature, warehouse storage and safety, as well as public campaigns that encourage people to get footage.
Finding money is not easy. “This is a big concern,” he said.
Virginia officials said they expect the vaccine distribution to cost $ 120 million.
“I think it should be part of the federal government’s responsibility, but make no mistake, we’re going to do it,” said Secretary of State for Finance Aubrey Lane. “We must put the welfare and health of our citizens first.”
Virginia has performed better economically during epidemics than many states, due to its large defense-industry sector, he said. Nonetheless, state tax revenue is significantly lower than it was before the epidemic, and Mr said the cost of vaccine distribution costs would come at a loss of $ 22.5 billion to other areas that rely on public funds. Lane said.
Ohio estimates that its vaccine-related costs could run into more than $ 100 million. $ 300 million is left over from the federal maintenance law fund. Authorities plan to use the money for testing and tracking, but some of it could be diverted to vaccine distribution, said Kimberly Murnix, director of the state budget and management office.
One hiccup is that Congress has set a Dec. 30 deadline for the states to spend that money, and Ms Murnix said she expects an extension.
“We have an efficient process to get those dollars as far as possible, but frankly, the additional federal resources for vaccine rolling are very welcome,” he said.
Federal officials estimate that December will be enough to vaccinate 20 million Americans, and that will be enough to vaccinate about 25 million to 30 million people a month starting in January. Dr. Anthony Fossie, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Tuesday that if about 75% of Americans are vaccinated, workplaces could reopen in late March or early April and restaurants could increase capacity.
Brian Sikrits, director of state financial studies at the National Budget Officers Association, said state budget officials face a tough challenge in designing spending plans for the coming fiscal year, even without paying for vaccine distribution.
He said states would have less money for areas such as education, health care, transportation and amendments as revenue from the epidemic runs very low.
New York Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Arkansas Republican Asa Hutchinson, who heads the National Governors Association, called on Congress to pass a strong stimulus bill this month. States and territories are asking for $ 8 billion for corona virus vaccination efforts, as well as the need for additional funding to cover their budget shortfalls and epidemic-related costs.
New York State Budget Director Mr. Mujica said the federal government should cover the distribution costs that give the scale of the epidemic.
“This is no different than any other national emergency, so the federal government must put in the evidence to do so,” he said.
So far, Mr. According to Mujica, the federal government has provided $ 14 million to the state for vaccination planning, and $ 10 million is expected by December 15. Cars said the state’s role in the legal fund has been exhausted. The epidemic is driving New York’s budget deficit as it affects tax revenue and cuts spending, he said.
“We don’t want to reduce education and health care, but it makes sense to us,” he said.
The milk page contributed to this article.
Write Stephanie Armor at [email protected] and Scott Calvert at [email protected]
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