DEEP DIVE: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said publicly that he would prefer keep the state in charge of distributing COVID-19 vaccines, a push against President Joe Biden who wants Federal Emergency Management Agency to lead the effort.

When asked about the governor’s remarks, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday afternoon “…they have only distributed about 50 percent of the vaccines they have been given in Florida.” https://twitter.com/NewsGuyGreg/status/1353796642814767106

Pressed on this assertion, the governor’s office said in a statement Monday night that it has distributed the most amount of vaccines out of any other state. It should be pointed out the governor’s office’s statement did not directly respond to the “50%” comment.

This morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked directly about the "50%" comment.

He told reporters in Vero Beach that the state is doing well distributing the vaccines, but again did not answer the question about 50%. https://twitter.com/NewsGuyGreg/status/1354071845964832770

CDC and FL DOH data shows FL received 2.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and as of the latest data made available, has administered 1.5 million vaccines.

That leaves a window of now 1.3 million doses of vaccine. (Compared to 1.4 million Monday)

The one question the Governor has yet to answer directly and clearly:

Why is there a 1.3 million dose difference between amount received and amount administered?

To be clear, this is not just a Florida issue.

In fact, all ten of the nation’s most populous states show a difference in vaccines received versus vaccines administered.

Each state’s governor determines the parameters as to when, who, how, etc receives the vaccine.

Here’s how Florida – and the States – stack up

CA (Pop: 39.5 Million)
TX (Pop: 28.9 Million)
FL (Pop: 21.4 Million)
NY (Pop: 19.4 Million)
PA (Pop: 12.8 Million)
IL (Pop: 12.6 Million)
OH (Pop: 11.6 Million)
GA (Pop: 10.6 Million)
NC (Pop: 10.4 Million)
MI (Pop: 9.9 Million)

TOTAL VACCINES RECEIVED

Florida received the 3rd most amount of vaccines (2.9 million), trailing California (4.9 million) and Texas (3.0 Million).

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED

Florida has administered the 3rd most total amount of vaccines (1.5 million), trailing California (2.3 million) and Texas (1.8 million).

RECEIVED V. ADMINISTERED

Florida has the 2nd most amount of vaccines received, but not yet administered (1.3 million), trailing only California (2.5 million).

FIRST DOSE PER 100K

FL has administered the most number of at least FIRST ROUND vaccines when population is counted per 100K.

6,446 (at least) First Round doses for every 100K people; more than any other state. NY (2) with 6,248 First Round doses for every 100,000 residents.

NOTE: CDC data does not specify First or Second shots specifically, labeling the data as “1 or more doses”, but providing a secondary data set of “People Receiving 2 or More Doses”.

In that secondary data set of people receiving “2 or more doses”, Florida is 8th in the nation when population is counted per 100K.

FL provided 728 SR+ doses per 100K persons.