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New: 23 states (46% of all states) have been told from the federal government to expect fewer doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week, some shipments cut by as much as half. Here is a map of the states that have reported changes (12 Democratic governors, 11 Republican governors).
17 of those states have released the amounts by which their shipments will be reduced, the average being ~34%.
There has been conflicting information from states as to the reasons for this change. Some states have reported exact new dose allocations, while others have said the doses have been delayed or held. https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-87da29dc29e51236b90c2be9b023ce0a
A statement from Pfizer says "we have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses."
https://pfe-pfizercom-d8-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2020-12/COVID%2019%20Vaccine%20Production%20Distribution%20Statement%20121720.pdf?4wHzYChTc372dnYNHNosah.vSQ7BDMw_
https://pfe-pfizercom-d8-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2020-12/COVID%2019%20Vaccine%20Production%20Distribution%20Statement%20121720.pdf?4wHzYChTc372dnYNHNosah.vSQ7BDMw_
Reporting here from @EllieCKaufman, @SaraMurray and @priscialva details the frustration from some state leaders. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/politics/pfizer-vaccine-fewer-doses-states-confusion/index.html
Reporting from @mawilner says that Tiberius, the Pentagon's dose allocation system, had old planning numbers, but officials denied that allocation numbers were ever cut. https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavirus/article247935785.html
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb speculates that the federal government thinks states' delivery channels may not be able to accommodate large shipments next week.
"They're trying to throttle the shipments," he said this morning. https://twitter.com/megtirrell/status/1339936399970226177
"They're trying to throttle the shipments," he said this morning. https://twitter.com/megtirrell/status/1339936399970226177
Regardless of the reason for this unexpected change, the federal government must pledge to:
- Communicate quickly and efficiently to states on updated numbers (this may happen today)
- Pledge transparency in production and distribution https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/12/17/pfizer-vaccine-supply-states/
- Communicate quickly and efficiently to states on updated numbers (this may happen today)
- Pledge transparency in production and distribution https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/12/17/pfizer-vaccine-supply-states/
As @josh_wingrove reports, there is still a lack of clarity from the White House. This has left medical experts confused. "I hope this is not a pattern," @DrLeanaWen said yesterday to @BrookeBCNN. https://twitter.com/josh_wingrove/status/1339710778165915653
The Vaccine Allocation Dashboard has been updated with the new allocations for next week's Pfizer shipment (for states that have released these numbers). A column has been added to show which ones have reported their doses being changed. https://public.tableau.com/views/COVID-19VaccineAllocationDashboard/Dashboard1?:language=en&:display_count=y&publish=yes&:origin=viz_share_link
Will continue to follow this story and track more reports from states. If you see any, let me know. We may expect to receive updated numbers from states today (OWS usually advises states on numbers each Tuesday and states place orders on Friday for shipment the following week).
Massachusetts has joined the list of states that have reported decreases in doses for next week, now up to 24. https://twitter.com/bhrenton/status/1339964579439390722
Oklahoma now joining the club of states reporting fewer doses next week (h/t to the wonderful @CathJSweeney) — will be launching a dose adjustment dashboard shortly. https://twitter.com/CathJSweeney/status/1339967160752492546
