Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccine Production Nearly Triples In March
The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Vaccine Manufacturing In U.S. Races Ahead
After a slow start, Pfizer Inc., its partner BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc. have raised output by gaining experience, scaling up production lines and taking other steps like making certain raw materials on their own. Pfizer figured out how to stretch scarce supplies of special filters needed for the vaccine production process by recycling them. Moderna shortened the time it needed to inspect and package newly manufactured vials of its vaccine. (Loftus, 3/21)
Axios: Vaccine Manufacturing Output Expected To Have Tripled From February To March
Vaccine makers have drastically increased their manufacturing capacity, and output of the three vaccines authorized in the U.S. is expected to in March be nearly triple the amount produced in February, the Wall Street Journal reports. The faster shots are made, the faster they can be put in arms, and the sooner life can begin to approach normal. (Owens, 3/22)
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The Washington Post: Becerra Says Government Must Reach People Where They Are To Surmount Vaccine Inequities
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the federal campaign to vaccinate Americans against the coronavirus must “reach people where they are,” bringing vaccine-filled syringes into farm fields and onto construction sites to ease profound racial and ethnic disparities in who has been receiving the protective shots. “We’re not going to say, ‘Now, just come get your vaccine,’ which is a very different model than we’ve done in the past,” Becerra said in his first interview since being sworn in as the nation’s top health official late last week. Too often, he said, Black and Latino Americans in low-wage jobs believe “their government thinks they are invisible.” (Goldstein, 3/23)
Health News Florida: Vice President Visits Jacksonville, Emphasizes Importance Of Getting Vaccinated
Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday visited Jacksonville, where she visited the city's federally run COVID-19 vaccine distrbution site and touted the benefits of the recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan with a visit to a local food bank. "We're going to be here visiting a vaccination site saying, 'Look everybody ... when it's your turn go and get vaccinated,' and that's the message of the day and that should be the message everyday, including reminding folks to wear a mask and wash their hands and social distance," the vice president said. (Bortzfield, 3/23)
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: CDC COVID Vaccine Data Issue Uncovered In GA, Other States
Health officials are unable to accurately track the number of vaccines administered in several states because of a reporting issue between pharmacies and state databases, CDC officials confirmed to McClatchy. The CDC could not specify the states affected or when the issue began, only that there was a reporting issue among a “small subset” of shots. Federal officials say they are working with vendors and pharmacy partners to rectify the issue “as soon as possible.” (Wooten, 3/23)
