Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Vaccines For All Over-16s Coming To More States, Soon
The Washington Post: More States Announce Plans To Expand Vaccine Access To Residents 16 And Up
Governors in multiple states announced plans Monday to open coronavirus vaccine access to all residents over the age of 16. States opening access included West Virginia, Tennessee and Arizona. Ohio, meanwhile, said vaccine providers who are unable to fill appointment slots this week can book anyone 16 or older. The timeline and details vary by state. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) said residents over 16 are eligible to be vaccinated immediately, although seniors will still receive preference. (Shammas, 3/23)
Grand Forks Herald: All North Dakota Adults Will Be Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccine Starting March 29
The North Dakota Department of Health has announced that the state's full general public over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as Monday, March 29. Some vaccine providers, including public health units in Burleigh and Morton counties, have already opened up eligibility to the general public, but other providers are still focusing on Phase 1C, which includes essential workers and adults with underlying conditions. (Turley, 3/19)
North Carolina Health News: To Vaccinate Thousands, NC Turns To Volunteers
For a rollout large enough to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, you need volunteers. A lot of them. Getting shots into millions of arms requires boots on the ground, and to vaccinate a majority of North Carolina’s population – who reside in a nation already experiencing a shortage of health care workers – the state has/providers have turned to members of the public who are willing to lend a helping hand. (Critchfield, 3/22)
WMFE: Orange County Books 7,000 Vaccine Appointments In Minutes After Drop To Age 40
Orange County lowered the eligibility age to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to 10 years lower than the state requirement on Monday morning and filled 7,000 appointments in 13 minutes before closing registration. Reservations were required for the county-run drive-thru site at the Orange County Convention Center, the first location in Florida to open vaccine eligibility to residents 40 and older. (Aboraya, 3/22)
KHN: ‘An Arm And A Leg’: In Vaccinating Philadelphia, A Mix Of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
In Philadelphia, the good, the bad and the ugly have all been on vivid display in the covid vaccine rollout. The Bad comes with a giant serving of gall: For a while, the city put its mass-vaccination program in the hands of Andrei Doroshin, a 22-year-old with no experience in health care but what, from all reports, seemed a healthy interest in making money. It did not go well. In this episode, we get a deep dive from public-radio reporter Nina Feldman, who uncovered the debacle. (Weissmann, 3/23)
In other updates on the vaccine rollout —
Fox News: Arizona Man Arrested After Holding National Guardsmen Transporting COVID-19 Vaccines At Gunpoint: Cops
An Arizona man was arrested Monday after he allegedly held at gunpoint a caravan of National Guardsmen transporting COVID-19 vaccines to Matador, Texas, according to police. Larry Harris, 66, of Willcox, is accused of following and making several attempts to run the vans off a roadway earlier on Monday, authorities said. He allegedly claimed to be a detective and ordered the unarmed Guardsmen out of their vehicles at gunpoint, according to reports. (Aaro, 3/23)
Health News Florida: DeSantis Rips Concept Of 'COVID-19 Passports' In Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis has emphatically resisted placing restrictions on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. But DeSantis suggested this past week he may go after companies if they require customers to show proof they are vaccinated, saying “it’s more than just a private decision.” The governor was referring to what have been called "COVID-19 passports," a phenomenon gathering momentum abroad. (Sexton, 3/22)
