In a statement, a spokesman for the federal health department said that nearly 13 million doses were made available to states so they could order the first and second doses, which are “millions more” than in previous weeks. The spokesman, Michael Pratt, also said that many states did not order up to the total amount that was allocated by the federal government.
“I think the states have done their best to plan with all the information they can get from the feds about expected future allocations and then review these plans if they receive less,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, medical director of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers. “What is most worrying is that public expectations have increased and the limited supply can lead to significant disappointment.”
During the first weeks of distribution, General Gustave F. Perna, chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to develop and distribute a vaccine to the American public, decided to retain half of the weekly vaccine shipments to keep those doses for people who received the initial injection. He said at the time that it was important to be careful, as manufacturing was starting, and to keep a stock of second doses in case of any manufacturing flaws.
Even so, his decision was criticized by public health experts, who argued that the focus should be on getting as many people as possible to get the first dose of a vaccine – since clinical tests have shown that even the first dose offers some protection – given that the country was experiencing record cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
But the federal authorities maintained their plan, and over the weeks, that stock gradually ran out, as those who had received the initial injections from Pfizer needed the second dose, which is given three weeks later. The first people who received the Moderna vaccine should now receive their booster injection, which is given four weeks later.
Government officials said on Friday that the second remaining doses taken from this reserve are being distributed this week and next week to the states, and that they were never intended to be used to vaccinate others.
From now on, officials said on Tuesday, each weekly shipment from manufacturers will include doses for new people, as well as second doses for those who are about to receive their booster doses.