Mississippi officials said the state has run out of coronavirus vaccines after appointments for vaccinations have compromised its entire supply.
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) he said in a statement On Wednesday, its vaccine distribution plan has been “significantly modified in recent days, especially in the last 24 hours.”
“Neither the access points to the county health department nor the UMMC vaccine programming website were designed to accommodate the monumental wave we are currently experiencing,” the department said. “Right now, we don’t have any additional vaccines and every appointment is related to a real vaccine.”
The department said it expects to reactivate a large number of doses by mid-February, adding that it will keep residents up to date on additional doses.
“Mississippi should understand that we can only vaccinate residents based on the availability of vaccines. We will open additional vaccination appointments as we receive more vaccine, ”MSDH wrote.
“Meanwhile, all Mississippi, vaccinated or not, should continue to follow protective guidelines. Above all, avoid social gatherings. And always wear a mask, ”he added.
The shortage comes a day after Governor Tate Reeves (R) extended the vaccines to people 65 and older, as well as those with pre-existing conditions.
He Biloxi Sun Herald reports that Reeves promised to open vaccines to first-time attendees and teachers next week. The governor wanted to receive “shots in the arms” from as many people as possible and quickly.
The newspaper notes that the hotline and the MSDH website, as well as several hospitals, were left without appointments on Wednesday.
Mississippi is not the only state to expand the eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to start vaccinations quickly.
Governor of California Gavin Newsom
Gavin Governor NewsomMaryland proposes up to 0 stimulus payments to some California residents to open multiple “mass vaccination sites” this week California records a maximum of 695 coronavirus deaths in a single day MORE (D) extended eligibility on Wednesday to anyone 65 or older and the governor of New York. Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo: Cuomo Announces Representation Initiative to Revive New York’s Artistic Economy Staten Island Republican Candidate Apologizes for Hitler’s Reference The Hill’s Morning Report – House to Impeach Trump Wednesday MORE (R) last week extended eligibility to people aged 75 and over, as well as lifeguards.