Vaccine rollout falls on cash-strapped states

Here's the latest news from the global pandemic. Russia says tests prove its Covid-19 vaccine over 90% effective Covid roars back in U.S. cities after months as a rural problem Italy may have to spend 10 billion euros a month on lockdown aid Vaccine rollout hits cash-short states A Covid-19 vaccine could be just weeks away, with Pfizer and BioNTech reporting their shot appears to work in trials of tens of thousands of people. While the world celebrates, public-health officials across the U.S. are planning how to get vaccines into the arms of millions of Americans. It's no small feat, and it probably won't be cheap. "We absolutely need more from the federal government," said Sarah Leeds, Idaho's immunization program manager. States are already stretched from responding to coronavirus outbreaks and taking revenue hits from stay-at-home orders. Much of the burden of vaccinating against Covid-19 will fall on their shoulders, too, with few answers on how much they can expect from Washington—and when. Federal dollars have helped bolster some of the planning. Further stimulus talks have stalled since the summer. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to invest $25 billion in manufacturing and distributing vaccines. Still, movement on either side is far from certain, posing the risk that more help may not arrive until a distribution campaign is well underway. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to invest $25 billion in manufacturing and distributing vaccines.  Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America In interviews and emails last month, many state health officials said they would likely need additional funds to distribute the vaccine. Pfizer's vaccine, likely to be the first, creates additional costly logistics: It needs to be stored at temperatures colder than most freezers can accommodate and it will be shipped in quantities of no less than 1,000 doses at first. In hard-hit North Dakota, that means buying gloves to handle dry ice and preparing to break apart shipments to send vaccines across the state. Those expenses vary by state, and it's hard to know how much it will all cost. Of 40 plans that Bloomberg News obtained, only Virginia provided an estimated price tag: $120 million for mass vaccination clinics, equipment and other expenses. The state has received about $5.4 million of federal funds geared toward the planning effort and $22 million from its own coffers. Big budget holes could grow across the nation, possibly tripping up the effort.—Angelica LaVito Track the virus Mapping Covid-19 Outbreaks Near You Search by U.S. zip code or localities to see the situation near to where you live and work. Get the details here. Bloomberg Bloomberg   What you should read Mutant Virus in Mink Questions the Future of Fur Even before coronavirus mutations, the industry was facing a bleak future. Superspreader Risk? Restaurants, Gyms, Hotels. Mobile phone data from 98 million people used model the risks of infection. Deep-Freeze Hurdle: Pfizer Shot One for the Rich Investment needed all but ensure only rich nations are guaranteed access. Singapore to Start 'World First' Air Travel Bubble  The bubble with Hong Kong could be used as a template for other countries. U.K. Students Face Mass Testing Before Holidays University students can return home for Christmas during a "travel window." Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022