Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
What Is West Virginia Doing Right That Everyone Else Is Doing Wrong?
CNN: In West Virginia, Covid-19 Vaccinations are Nearly Double The National Rate
More than 9% of people in West Virginia have received at least their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to data published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, that number stands at less than 6%. "We continue to lead the nation," Gov. Jim Justice said in a news conference Monday. (McPhillips, 1/26)
The New York Times: How West Virginia Became A U.S. Leader In Vaccine Rollout
Since the nation began distributing vaccines more than a month ago, it has moved far more slowly than officials hoped and has been stymied by widespread logistical problems. But West Virginia has stood out for its success in getting people vaccinated. About 9 percent of all West Virginians have received a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, a larger segment than in every state but Alaska and double the rate of some. No state has given a larger share of its residents second doses, a crucial step to securing the best chance at immunity. (Mervosh, 1/24)
Also —
Anchorage Daily News: Alaska Rises To No. 1 Among States For Per-Capita Coronavirus Vaccinations
Alaska last week was administering more COVID-19 shots per capita than any other state in the nation, a striking statistic given the challenge of getting vaccine across rugged roadless terrain to far-flung communities in the nation’s only Arctic state. Nearly 11% of the state’s population was at least partially vaccinated by Monday. Still, Alaska’s rollout has hit rough spots, especially for seniors. And Alaska’s ranking isn’t nearly as high when it comes to shots administered out of the total received, where the state falls closer to the middle of the national picture, according to data from the CDC. (Berman, 1/25)
CNN: Kittitas County In Washington State Is Lapping The Field In Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution
A rural county in Washington state is lapping the field when it comes to distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. A big part of the reason Kittitas County says it is outpacing the vaccine rates in the state is that it's had a lot of practice in triaging and managing disasters, especially wildfires. (Zdanowicz, 1/25)
