Header Ads

The U.S. vaccination rollout is a mess

Coronavirus Daily
Bloomberg

Here's the latest news from the global pandemic.

U.S. vaccination rollout turns to chaos

When can I get a vaccine? In the U.S., it's a popular question without many good answers.

Health-care workers and nursing home residents started receiving the first doses in mid-December. Since then, the carefully planned rollout has been replaced with a massive expansion of eligibility and not enough shots to go around.

The Trump administration last week urged states to allow people 65 and older, as well as younger people with underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated immediately. One wrinkle: There are too many people for too few shots.

A nationwide expansion would make 128 million people eligible. As of Sunday, 14.3 million doses had been distributed. That imbalance is causing chaos. On Friday, New York City said it will run out of shots this week without a resupply.

People wait at a Covid-19 vaccination site at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg

In places that have opened up immunization, seniors are overwhelming phone lines and crashing websites. Others are peppering doctors, pharmacists and even journalists about when and how they can access the precious vaccines. Few are getting answers.

Bloomberg's Vaccine Tracker: Click here for the latest numbers

Arline Ruef, an 82-year-old in Olympia, Washington, has "no idea" where to turn. She's tried the local health department and her doctor without any luck. During an interview, Ruef asked if I knew whom she could ask.

Nebraska's health department hosted a Facebook live event on Thursday where officials answered residents' questions. One person asked what the state will do when its online registration tool crashes. Another asked whether the state is concerned that expanding eligibility will create unrealistic expectations.

"Potentially," said Angela Ling, incident commander at the state health department. "And that's why we want to get this communication out to as many people as we possibly can. Just because you're on a priority group does not mean you will get a vaccine tomorrow. It will take time."

It could take four months to immunize the next group, which includes about 400,000 people in Nebraska, she said. With the coronavirus pandemic raging, desperation to secure one of the first shots is growing, in Nebraska and across the nation.—Angelica LaVito

Ask us anything

We want to know what you need to know. So ask us. Each week we will select one or two commonly asked questions and put them to our network of experts so you and your families can stay safe—and informed. Get in touch here or via CovidQs@bloomberg.net.

 

 

What you should read

Vaccine-Related Deaths, Allergies: What to Know
Like all new drugs, they come with some safety concerns and side effects. 
Lockdowns Here Year After China Shocked World
They're turning out to be enduring tool for quelling virus almost everywhere.
Members-Only Model Helps Restaurants, Travel
Subscriptions a way for Covid-hit industries to get enough cash to hang on.
Vaccine Disparities Alert as Virus Variants Multiply
Disparities in virus immunity pose a threat to both have and have-not states.
Japan's Suga Vows to Beat Virus in Policy Speech
Prime Minister Suga says penalties and incentives to be added to virus law.

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.

No comments