Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Operation Warp Speed Chief Takes Blame For Vaccine Distribution Error
CNBC: U.S. Slashed Vaccine Numbers For Several States Due To Confusion Over FDA Requirement
Officials with Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government program to distribute Covid-19 vaccines to Americans, had to slash the number doses for several states due to confusion over the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s certificate of analysis requirement for vaccine rounds. The federal government’s error disrupted vaccination distribution plans in at least 14 states and frustrated governors and state health officials who said they were caught off guard upon learning of shipment shortfalls. (Newburger, 12/20)
AP: General Sorry For 'Miscommunication' Over Vaccine Shipments
The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across the United States apologized on Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution. “I failed. I’m adjusting. I am fixing and we will move forward from there,” Gen. Gustave Perna told reporters in a telephone briefing. (White and Colvin, 12/19)
CNN: White House Vaccine Chief Explains Why States Haven't Received Number Of Vaccines Promised
The chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed explained Sunday that an unpredicted "two-day lag period" is the reason why many states have not received the number of vaccines promised. "We all made the error or mistake of assuming that vaccine that's actually produced and being released is already available for shipment, when, in fact, there is a two-days lag between the time at which we generate a lot of data that shows this vaccine vial is actually safe and right and the time we can ship it," Moncef Slaoui told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" when asked about the delay. (Gordon and Thomas, 12/20)
Fox News: General At Operation Warp Speed Apologizes For Vaccine Rollout 'Miscommunication'
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday that his state is receiving 40% fewer doses than projected, calling the cut "disruptive and frustrating. "The reduction was due to the difference in vaccine doses produced and doses that completed quality control, Inslee said Friday. California, where coronavirus cases are currently surging, will also see a roughly 40% cut, which equals about 160,000 fewer doses than originally planned. (Best, 12/20)
