GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: Wealthy Hospital Board Members Jump Line, RI Falls Further
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Saturday's GoLocal vaccination update provides the most up-to-date information and data on the Rhode Island vaccination program as well as emerging national and global developments.
1. According to the CDC and updated on Friday, RI Is Falling Behind:
* RI received 108,427 doses — an increase of 24,302 over Thursday
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST* RI administered 47,548, doses (less than 3,000 administered in past 24-hours)
* Of the vaccine doses received, RI has utilized 44% —a drop from 53%.
2. Wealthy Hospital Board Members Jump the Vaccination Priority List
Despite promises by the RI Department of Heath that vaccine doses would be targeted to medical professionals, first responders, nursing home staff and residents, etc. The Providence Journal unveiled that non-healthcare, wealthy donors and board members of Lifespan and trustees of Care New England received the opportunity to get vaccine shots out of turn -- a development that is sure to undermine any confidence in the state’s vaccine program.
The Rhode Island Department of Health said in an email to GoLocal, “We have communicated to our hospital partners how important equity is to our vaccination campaign. We asked the hospitals to direct some of their allotted vaccine to vaccinate outpatient healthcare providers outside of their hospitals, which is happening.”
Governor Gina Raimondo’s office refused to comment on the disclosure.
Lt. Governor Dan McKee’s spokesperson told GoLocal, “The Lieutenant Governor defers comment to Governor Raimondo as he is not in charge of vaccine policy.”
When asked if it was appropriate for wealthy, connected individuals to jump the line, McKee’s spokesperson did not respond.
3. British Strain May Fuel Significant Rise in Cases in U.S.
The British strain of the coronavirus has hit America and officials warn the impact could be significant.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, had infected at least 76 people in 12 states as of Jan. 13 and threatens to worsen the pandemic in the U.S., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report modeling the strain’s potential impact.
“We expect these numbers to rise in the coming weeks,” said Jay Butler, the CDC’s deputy director for infectious diseases.
Health officials are warning that the variant could fuel exponential growth in new cases, becoming the dominant strain by late March.
4. RIDOH Continues to Refuse to Provide Information
The RI Department of Health continues to refuse to provide data as to how many Rhode Islanders need to be vaccinated.
5. No Second Dosage Reserve
The Washington Post is reporting that the national reserve of vaccine supply that first President-elect Joseph Biden announced and then the Trump administration promised to be released as early as this week, does not exist.
"When Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced this week that the federal government would begin releasing coronavirus vaccine doses held in reserve for second shots, no such reserve existed, according to state and federal officials briefed on distribution plans. The Trump administration had already begun shipping out what was available beginning at the end of December, taking second doses directly off the manufacturing line," reports the Post on Friday.
"Now, health officials across the country who had anticipated their extremely limited vaccine supply as much as doubling beginning next week are confronting the reality that their allocations will remain largely flat, dashing hopes of dramatically expanding access for millions of elderly people and those with high-risk medical conditions. Health officials in some cities and states were informed in recent days about the reality of the situation, while others are still in the dark."
6. Biden Makes Major Announcement Friday on Federal Program
On Friday, President-Elect Joseph Biden made a major announcement about his administration
“Our plan is as clear as it is bold: get more people vaccinated for free, create more places for them to get vaccinated, mobilize more medical teams to get the shots in people’s arms, increase supply and get it out the door as soon as possible,” he said, calling it “one of the most challenging operation efforts ever undertaken by our country.”
Biden said he would hire a massive number of workers to assist in the vaccination program and utilize the National Guard. He did not say how many would be hired or deployed.
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- GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: Wealthy Hospital Board Members Jump Line, RI Falls Further
