Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Cedes Authority To States To Disperse Limited Vaccine Stores
Politico: Trump Administration Leaves States To Grapple With How To Distribute Scarce Vaccines
The Trump administration is shunting to the states hard decisions about which Americans will get the limited early supplies of coronavirus vaccines — setting up a confusing patchwork of distribution plans that could create unequal access to the life-saving shots. Federal and state officials agree that the nation’s 21 million health care workers should be first in line. But there is no consensus about how to balance the needs of other high-risk groups, including the 53 million adults aged 65 or older, 87 million essential workers and more than 100 million people with medical conditions that increase their vulnerability to the virus. (Owermohle, Roubein and Brennan, 11/30)
The Washington Post: White House Planning A Packed Season Of Holiday Parties
The White House began the annual holiday party season on Monday afternoon, officials said, kicking off a spate of indoor holiday parties that commemorate various religious traditions over the season. While many public health professionals have asked Americans not to congregate in large group settings and avoid travel over the holidays because of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 266,000 Americans and infected 13 million more, the White House is expected to throw more than a dozen indoor parties, including a large congressional ball on Dec. 10, officials say. (Dawsey, 11/30)
In news from the Pentagon —
The Hill: Pentagon Reports 12th Military COVID-19 Death
The Defense Department has reported a 12th service member killed by the coronavirus, the fourth such military death reported this month. The latest fatality was included in Monday’s update of the online chart the Pentagon maintains of COVID-19 connected to the department. (Kheel, 11/30)
