Thread by @CathJSweeney, We're getting a vaccine update from Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed, [...]

We're getting a vaccine update from Deputy Commissioner of Health Keith Reed, who has overseen the vaccine program. He said they found out about the depleted stockpile yesterday. "We're very, very frustrated."

Reed: "The rug was pulled out from under us." Events like these are why our plan has to be nimble. We have to account for changes like this, issues in supply, needs that the public express and more. We're going to have to move forward.

Reed: We have administered about 185,000 prime doses.

@KOCODillon Did the federal government mislead you on supply?
Reed: "We were given a clear impression that for every prime dose we were receiving each week, there was an equivalent amount of vaccine held back for a second dose." (continued)

Reed: And yes, they had been saving doses for us. That was the case, but it changed weeks ago. "When that program changed, we were not informed of it."

Reed: We aren't booking appointments far out, for first or second doses. "Especially after the information we got this week, we're really hesitant to put in appointments just based off" anticipated shipment numbers.

@ericarankinTV Do we anticipate big changes in vaccine delivery, given the change in presidential administration next week.
Reed: "It changes almost daily now." So I imagine we're going to keep having changes. Not sure what those changes will be.

@KassieMcClung How do you expect the news about second-dose stockpile will affect the state's expectations for the future?
Reed: "I'm extremely frustrated to learn that is not ... coming to us."

Reed: We were anticipating getting those several weeks' worth of reserved doses in a big shipment. "I was hoping we were going to get that in a large inventory.. that they were just going to release that to us." We were going to ramp up efforts considerably. Now we can't.

Reed: It is going to appear our state's vaccine supply is surging, but we need to keep in mind that we have second doses coming in.

@KassieMcClung How did you find out the stockpile was depleted? A phone call?
Reed:
"I learned about it through my direct contact at OWS reaching out." They just said our expected shipment changed. "Quite frankly, the rest of the information was from the media report.'

@BarryMangold At what point should people start worrying that their booster is coming too late?
Reed: If somebody falls outside the 28 days, there's question about how far out that can go and be effective. We think it will be just as effective.

Reed: "People need to understand, it may not be on day 28 when you get that dose." If it's day 27, day 30, it will be OK.

Reed on the stockpile depletion and its effect on Oklahoma's planning for second doses: It's less like moving the goalposts and more like changing the rules of the game as we play it. "It's our reality. We're going to adapt to it."

Reed: We have to adapt. We have pharmacies, FQHCs, so many partners. "Those, in my mind, are sitting in a toolbox ready to be engaged ... but it takes supply to do it."

@pmonies Has your OWS given you word that this could be an operations or manufacturing issue? Or is it a purchasing issue?
Reed: I've been given no indication that there is a problem or setback with manufacturing.

Reed: "I was under the illusion earlier this week that there was supply out there, just sitting there." But we learned yesterday that's not the case. We are getting vaccine as it is being manufactured.

Latest Threads Unrolled: