Since the development and launch of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines, medical experts have been optimistic that the deadly pandemic is about to end. Unfortunately, reports of highly coveted doses not used in freezers have become very common, as authorities begin to reformulate exactly how the vaccine should be administered. While some states have managed to maintain rapid implementation, others have been slow to administer their share of COVID vaccines – which may soon affect how quickly they can access more doses. Read on to see which risky states are doing the worst job and for more information on other official updates, see The CDC has just provided a shocking update on the COVID vaccine.
According to an announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on January 12, the way the federal government determines how vaccines are distributed among states will soon change. Previously, vaccines were assigned based on the number of elderly residents in each state; but soon, it will be based on how quickly doses are administered too, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced during a press conference on January 12. States will now have two weeks to resolve any issues with delays in reporting numbers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before the new system takes effect.
“States should not wait to complete the prioritization of phase 1a before proceeding to broader categories of eligibility,” said Azar during a news conference with reporters. “Think of it as boarding a plane. You can have a sequential order in which you board people. But don’t wait until literally everyone in one group is boarded before moving on to the next.”
The shift comes after health officials recently started calling for a less stringent approach to follow CDC’s phased guidelines to help the vaccine launch in progress. Azar’s announcement also came along with other massive political changes, which aim to speed up the process by recommending that states now vaccinate all people over 65 and those under 65 with comorbidities.
So, which states are currently doing the worst job of vaccinating their populations and can see their future share affected? Read on to see what’s at the bottom of the list, according to data from the January 12 CDC. And for more information on how to prepare for the vaccine, check If you take these OTC drugs, you have to stop before taking the vaccine.
Read the original article at Better life.
Vaccinations administered by 100,000 people: 1,607
Georgia’s public health data shows that less than a third of the nearly 700,000 doses sent to the state were actually administered, the Roma News-Tribune reports.
After eligibility was recently expanded to allow anyone over 65 years of age to have access to the COVID vaccine, Georgia’s hospitals and online appointment scheduling software have been hampered by a barrage of hopeful requests and recipients. “There are simply more Georgians who want the vaccine than they can get today,” said the Georgia governor. Brian Kemp said at a press conference on January 12, according to The Augusta Chronicle. “Please know that we are working tirelessly to bring our limited supply of vaccines to those in need and to whom it would do most good.” And for another state-by-state update, check out The New COVID Strain Is Now Nesses 10 States.
Vaccinations administered by 100,000 people: 1,594
Although it has not yet opened vaccines for people over 65, Alabama is still facing major problems in administering the vaccine after relying only on a hotline to schedule appointments. The system is overloaded with calls and authorities are struggling to ease some of the tension, reports AL.com.
“We are working to improve our registration capabilities creating an online portal beyond the hotline, “Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced in a tweet on January 11th. “We will provide more information when it becomes available.” And to learn more about how much the pandemic is affecting where you live, check out the severity of the COVID outbreak in your state.
Vaccinations administered by 100,000 people: 1,575
After local authorities and lawmakers expressed frustration with the first round of inoculations, South Carolina began to take steps to improve its position as the second slowest vaccine administrator in the United States. This includes opening up the availability of doses to anyone over 70, the age at which local health officials arrived after making some calculations based on mortality rates and demographic data.
“As we saw a dramatic acceleration in vaccine use and consultations last week, we decided to speed things up again,” Governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster said in an announcement on January 11. “We know that people aged 70 and over are at the greatest risk of dying from COVID-19. Ensuring that they have quick access to the vaccine will help save lives.” And for more regular news from COVID, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
Vaccinations administered by 100,000 people: 1,355
According to local health data for January 11, Arkansas vaccinated 84,000 people – less than 3% of the state’s population. But with authorities and health professionals in the state complaining about a complicated implementation in the short term, many hope that in the coming weeks operations will begin to soften.
“It’s not as easy as just having the vaccine and saying, ‘Okay, let’s open the door and vaccinate people'” Shane Speights, MD, dean of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in Arkansas, told KAIT, a local ABC affiliate. “You cannot waste a single dose. We need as many people vaccinated in this country, and certainly here in Arkansas, as many as we can in the coming months.” And for that state that seems to be staying without a peak, check out The only state where COVID is not popping up right now.