"We all need to do better," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine about the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The federal government had set a goal to reach 20 million vaccinations by the end of December 2020. However, it missed that goal with only 5,919,418 administered as of January 8th and 6,688,231 administered as of January 11th, per the CDC.
What's to blame?
When asked who and what was to blame for the slow rollout of the vaccine Dr. Levine said "I'm not really blaming anyone" as she added she is only working to provide explanations. However, she did acknowledge the state receives fluctuating amounts of doses from the federal government, changing delivery dates, and 24-48 delays in reports over how many doses have been delivered and administered across the state.
"I think that we would like to work with them (the federal government) to have more advanced notice both about exactly how much vaccine that we will get from week to week but exactly also when they plan to distribute that. So, I think that both the state government as well as the hospitals themselves would like some more advanced notice about that distribution. But it is up to 'Operation Warp Speed' to do that," said Dr. Levine.
As for direct criticism of the federal government's 'Operation Warp Speed,' Levine said "the only criticism might be is some of the messaging that came out of the federal government about their, what I think are unrealistic expectations of...20 million by New Years. Which, I think was not going to be, not going to be done," said Levine.
What should I do if I want the shot?
People over the age of 75 and certain critical workers fall into Phase 1b of the vaccination rollout. Right now, the state is still on Phase 1a that includes health care workers and nursing homes.
What Phase of the rollout do I fall into? Learn that here.
Where can I find a COVID-19 vaccination provider? Find that here.
Where can I track the numbers? Find that here.
Check out the recommendations issued to states by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
However, specific plans to vaccinate people who fall within Phase 1b have not been released. Dr. Levine said the state will be moving on to the next phase 'soon.'
She advises anyone who is interested in getting the shot to contact their doctor and sit tight for further instruction from the state.
Dr. Levine previously said the mass vaccination clinics will likely require some sort of 'sign up' to avoid large crowds and lines at vaccination facilities. Details into how that public 'sign up' will work have also not yet been released.
Are doses just sitting around?
Levine said that she believes it is a misconception that thousands of doses are just 'sitting' unused in the state, pointing again to the delays in reporting when doses are received and given.
The vaccines are only being stored in facilities with the capability to keep the doses at specific required temperatures. Therefore, at this time mostly hospitals and other health care facilities are storing them.
The federal government's 'Operation Warp Speed' is taking charge of administering doses to skilled nursing facilities like nursing homes through a partnership with Walgreens and CVS.
Dr. Levine has said previously that the state plans to partner with other pharmacies to administer the vaccine when it reaches more of the public. Plans for that and mass vaccination clinics are still underway. Dr. Levine said the state is waiting on funding from the federal government which was recently passed through the COVID-19 relief act to begin preparations and partnerships. The state anticipates around $100 million to be used towards the vaccination effort and is working with the CDC to learn how that funding will be allocated.