“That comprehensive vaccination plans have not been developed at the federal level and sent to states as models is both incomprehensible and inexcusable,” said Romney, who represents Utah, in a statement on Friday.
Romney said the plan to have hospitals and pharmacies that are already overloaded is “unrealistic”.
Romney’s statement came at a time when the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed promised that 20 million doses would be administered before January 1. However, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week shows that just over 12.4 million doses have been distributed, and only 2.79 million have actually been administered.
“The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is a tribute to NIH, the FDA and professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. But, unlike vaccine development, the vaccination process itself is lagging behind. It was unrealistic to assume that healthcare professionals already burdened with Covid care can take on a massive vaccination program, “said Romeny.
“The same is true of the claim that CVS and Walgreens are going to save the day: they do not have excess staff available to inoculate millions of Americans. Nor are they equipped to deal with the rare, but serious reactions that can occur. well-suited, but the transfer rate of patients in doctors’ offices is predictably slow, “said Romney.
He added: “When something is not working, you need to recognize reality and develop a plan – especially when hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake.”
Romney urged leaders to “appeal to people who have carried out widespread vaccination programs elsewhere or in the past” for guidance and suggested using retired medical workers and others to create vaccination sites in schools, as a possible solution.
He said that despite the fact that this phase of the plan targets those easier to vaccinate, the program is “terribly behind schedule”.
“Urgent action now can help us catch up,” said Romney.