Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccine Rollout Set To Meet Biden's 200 Million Shot Goal
AP: Hitting Latest Vaccine Milestone, Biden Pushes Shots For All
The U.S. is set to meet President Joe Biden’s latest vaccine goal of administering 200 million COVID-19 shots in his first 100 days in office, as the White House steps up its efforts to inoculate the rest of the public. With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated, Biden on Wednesday will reflect on his efforts to expand vaccine distribution and access in his first three months in the White House. But with all those 16 and older now eligible for shots, the president is expected to outline his administration’s plans to drive up the vaccination rate even further. (Miller, 4/21)
Axios: Biden Administration Officials: Vaccine Equity Takes Effort
Distributing the coronavirus vaccine to community health centers has been "critical" to the Biden administration's goal of vaccinating Americans while maintaining racial equity, Cameron Webb, White House senior policy advisor for COVID-19 equity said at an Axios event on Tuesday. Webb said the administration was committed to getting everyone vaccinated but "there's also that long issue of making sure that racial justice is a priority, making sure that we're serving rural communities and a very real and meaningful way." (4/20)
CNN: The Country May Soon Reach A Tipping Point On Covid-19 Vaccine Demand. Here's Why That's Concerning
As US health officials race to get more Covid-19 shots into arms to control the virus, experts now warn the country will run into another challenge in the next few weeks: vaccine supply will likely outstrip demand. "While timing may differ by state, we estimate that across the U.S. as a whole we will likely reach a tipping point on vaccine enthusiasm in the next 2 to 4 weeks," the Kaiser Family Foundation said in a new report published Tuesday. (Maxouris, 4/21)
In other news on the vaccine rollout —
AP: North Dakota, Manitoba Announce Joint Border Vaccine Program
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister unveiled a plan Tuesday to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Manitoba-based truck drivers transporting goods to and from the United States. The Essential Worker Cross-Border Vaccination Initiative expects to vaccinate up to 4,000 Manitoba drivers in the next six to eight weeks, the two leaders said in a release. Burgum said North Dakota has adequate vaccine supplies and it benefits both countries to work together on giving shots. (4/20)
New Orleans Times-Picayune: J&J Vaccine Pause Comes As Louisiana Sees Slowdown In Demand For Shots
Louisiana’s vaccine supply is still able to keep up with demand, in part because shipments of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have ramped up. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was already expected in smaller amounts because of earlier manufacturing issues. But the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which does not require a freezer or dry ice for transportation, was popular among a wide range of people who could be challenging to reach for two separate doses: the homeless population, young people and those who lacked access to transportation or had trouble taking off work. (Woodruff and Rddad, 4/20)
Houston Chronicle: Galveston County To Close Mass Vaccination Site In League City
Galveston County officials announced Tuesday that its mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Walter Hall Park will no longer be available for appointments beginning May 1, saying the site has largely accomplished its goals. Philip Keiser, the county’s local health authority, characterized the closing of the site as a milestone for the county’s relative success in getting as many as 4,000 doses of vaccine out per day. The site will continue to fill appointments for second doses through next week before shutting down for good. (Powell, 4/20)
Los Angeles Times: L.A. Temporarily Closes Dodger Stadium, Other Vaccination Sites For Chauvin Verdict
The city of Los Angeles shut down Dodger Stadium and eight other COVID-19 vaccination sites Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of mass demonstrations with the verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin imminent. The closures, which also apply to mobile vaccination clinics run by the city, are temporary and are a “simple precaution,” according to the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. (Nelson, 4/20)
Bangor Daily News: Maine Enters New COVID-19 Vaccine Phase As Demand Dies Down
Some COVID-19 vaccine sites in rural Maine have recently closed as demand for shots appears to be slowing, presenting a new challenge for public health officials. Just over 50 percent of Mainers have had their first shot on Tuesday as Maine reached a public health milestone of 1 million doses. But while state officials say demand remains high in the state, signs are showing Maine may have reached a wide population of people eager to get vaccinated or able to do so within the current framework. (Andrews, 4/21)
NPR: Rural COVID Vaccination Rates Trail Urban Among Seniors
Chris Reimer had never heard of Leopold, Mo., when he found himself rushing down a winding, two-lane road toward the rural, 65-person community in February. Reimer, a social media manager in St. Louis, had made a split-second decision when he saw a local television reporter tweet about a 2,000-dose COVID-19 vaccination clinic opening to anyone after 3 p.m. that day. "I jumped in the car and started driving south," Reimer says, though the clinic was two hours away in Leopold. "I definitely saw other cars [on the interstate highway] and thought to myself, 'I wonder if they're going the same place I am?' because we were all driving perhaps a little too quickly." (Fast, 4/20)
Also —
North Carolina Health News: NC Prisons Reopen Visits For Kids, Extend Time Limits
As the vaccine rollout continues behind bars, North Carolina state prisons are expanding opportunities for families to see incarcerated loved ones. All young children are now permitted to visit parents or family members in prison. (Critchfield, 4/21)
Stat: Most Americans Say U.S. Should Donate Covid Vaccines To Other Countries
Three-quarters of Americans believe the U.S. government should start donating Covid-19 vaccines to other countries, but only after every person in the U.S. who wants a vaccine has received one, according to a new survey from STAT and The Harris Poll. At the same time, just over half of Americans said they agree with the idea that the Biden administration should immediately start donating vaccines to other countries in order to achieve global herd immunity, which reflects growing concern that the coronavirus cannot be contained until most of the world is vaccinated. (Silverman, 4/21)
