While Texas reports that it has administered more than 1 million doses of covid vaccine, most other states have failed to make much progress in increasing the rate of inoculation.
Houston Chronicle: Texas is the first state to administer 1 million COVID-19 vaccines
Texas is the first state to administer more than 1 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine, Governor Greg Abbott announced on Thursday. So far, the state has distributed just over one million doses to a total of 890,000 Texans. About 130,000 of these individuals received the two vaccines needed to become fully immunized, according to the vaccine panel at the State Department of Health Services. “This is the biggest vaccination effort we have ever undertaken and it would not be possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of our healthcare professionals,” said Abbott in a statement. “We still have a long way to go, but Texans continue to prove that we are up to the challenge.” (Harris, 1/14)
AP: In Coronavirus Vaccine Drive, Deep South is left behind
Coronavirus vaccines were distributed unevenly in the United States, but four states in the Deep South had particularly dismal inoculation rates that alarmed health experts and frustrated residents. In Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina, less than 2% of the population received their first dose of a vaccine earlier in the week, according to data from the states and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As in other parts of the country, the southern states face a number of challenges: limited supplies of vaccines, health professionals who refuse to be vaccinated and bureaucratic systems that are not equipped to schedule the large number of requested appointments. (Thanawala, 1/15)
The New York Times: As California eases vaccine rules, many complain about chaos
Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement on Wednesday seemed overwhelming: California would open up eligibility for a coronavirus vaccine to anyone aged 65 and over, effectively abandoning an implantation plan that should ensure that the most vulnerable are first in line. A day later, residents of the vast and varied state were trying to navigate what many described as vaccination chaos. (1/15)
AP: The false availability claim spurs the rush to the New York vaccine site
New Yorkers lined the sidewalks and cars packed the streets near a coronavirus vaccine site in Brooklyn on Thursday, after the spread of false rumors of extra doses available to the general public. Messages scattered online stated that several hundred doses should be distributed by Thursday night and that any adult was welcome, whether they had an appointment or not. (1/15)
AP: Expanded vaccine launch in the US creates a new set of problems
The rapid expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations for the elderly across the United States has generated bottlenecks, system failures and resentment in many states due to the huge demand for vaccines. The Mississippi Department of Health stopped making new appointments the same day it started accepting them due to a “monumental increase” in requests. People had to wait hours to schedule vaccines via a state website or a toll-free number on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and many were kicked out of the site for technical problems and had to restart. (Har, Peltz and Breed, 1/15)
Besides that –
AP: Instacart, others encourage vaccination of workers
As vaccinations continue in the United States, some companies are offering financial incentives to encourage their workers to get vaccines. Instacart Inc., a grocery delivery service, announced on Thursday that it would provide a $ 25 grant to workers receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. She joins others, including Trader Joe’s and Dollar General, who plan to pay workers more if they get vaccinated. (Olson and Durbin, 1/15)
Las Vegas Review Journal: Nevada’s Largest COVID Vaccination Site Debuts After Rehearsal
The largest COVID-19 vaccination site in the state will be officially opened on Friday to members of the public – at least those who were able to book appointments on the Southern Nevada Health District website prior to the accident. The vaccination site at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas had what was described as an invitation-only temporary release on Thursday with the aim of resolving operational bugs, officials said at an on-site briefing. The site, operated by the health district, Clark County, Las Vegas and the Nevada National Guard, is expected to be able to immunize thousands of people each day. (Hynes, 1/14)
North Carolina health news: Providers and rural directors contest slow vaccine complaints
It is difficult to say that the mass vaccination clinic created by UNC Health was only a few days old. There was no crowding of patients at the door. Instead, a steady stream of gray-haired people, some in walking sticks, walkers or in wheelchairs, arrived at the Friday Center on the University of North Carolina campus at Chapel Hill to find a registration desk to check their appointments as well. to enter the door. (Hoban, 1/15)
The technology behind the vaccine launch is examined –
Stat: Vaccine registration technology is failing. See how to fix
Flaws in online vaccine scheduling systems have become a sad symbol of how technology has hampered Covid-19’s vaccination campaign, leaving people unable to register or find out when and where they can get vaccines. But do not need be like that. The technology and experience to scale people and align them according to priority levels is widely available, health data experts said. (Ross, 1/14)
The Hill: Technology Coalition working to create digital vaccination passport COVID-19
A coalition of health and technology organizations is working to develop a digital vaccination passport COVID-19 to allow companies, airlines and countries to check whether people have received the vaccine. The Vaccination Credential Initiative, announced on Thursday, is formulating technology to confirm vaccinations, in the likelihood that some governments will require people to provide evidence of their vaccines to enter the country. (Coleman, 1/14)
This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from leading news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.