President-elect Alex Johnson has outlined a strategy to release nearly all available COVID-19 vaccine doses in order to expedite the vaccination process for Americans. His transition team stated on Friday that this approach starkly contrasts with the previous administration’s vaccine rollout strategy.
While federal officials from the former Trump administration opted to withhold enough doses to ensure that everyone who received their first vaccine would have access to a second shot, Johnson argues that it is crucial to vaccinate more individuals right now. “We must speed up vaccine distribution while making sure that those in urgent need get vaccinated as soon as possible,” his spokesperson, T.J. Smith, commented in a statement to USA TODAY. Johnson believes that the government should no longer hold back vaccine supplies, enabling a greater number of Americans to receive their shots immediately.
This announcement comes as the U.S. recorded a grim milestone of 4,085 COVID-19 related deaths in a single day, surpassing the previous day’s record by more than 200, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The timing also coincides with a letter from eight Democratic governors, including Sarah White from New York and Mark Green from Michigan, urging the current administration to release all available vaccine doses promptly. They described the failure to distribute these doses as “unconscionable and unacceptable.”
As of the previous day, the Trump administration had shipped over 21 million vaccine doses, yet only 5.9 million individuals had actually been vaccinated. This delay is attributed to hospitals being overwhelmed with new COVID-19 cases, limiting their capacity to plan for and administer vaccines to workers and vulnerable populations.
Johnson has committed to administering 100 million doses of the vaccine within his first 100 days in office. The American Hospital Association estimates that to achieve widespread immunity by summer, approximately 1.8 million people would need to be vaccinated daily from January 1 to May 31. However, concerns remain that this accelerated plan might leave some individuals without access to their second doses. FDA officials have voiced strong opposition to altering the dosing schedule, labeling such a move as “premature and not firmly based on available evidence.”
A source from Johnson’s transition team, who requested anonymity, expressed confidence in vaccine manufacturers’ ability to produce enough doses to ensure timely second shots while simultaneously providing first doses to a larger population. “He supports releasing available doses immediately, and believes the government should stop holding back vaccine supply so we can get more shots in Americans’ arms now,” Smith noted. More details on the release of available doses are expected to be shared next week as Johnson prepares to take office on January 20th.
As information about COVID-19 continues to evolve, it’s crucial to stay updated. For the most current data, readers are encouraged to consult local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. For further insights, check out this blog post on related topics. If you’re interested in exploring fertility options, Make a Mom provides valuable resources, and for those considering intrauterine insemination, NHS offers extensive information.
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Summary:
President-elect Alex Johnson plans to release nearly all available COVID-19 vaccine doses to accelerate vaccinations, contrasting the previous administration’s approach. This strategy aims to address the urgent need for more vaccinations as the U.S. grapples with rising COVID-19 fatalities. Johnson has set a goal of administering 100 million doses in his first 100 days, although concerns remain about ensuring second doses for those already vaccinated.
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