In general, I'd say the CO news is pretty good. I'm pleased to see some clear thinking leadership in Governor Polis' quote, "There's no excuse not to protect as many 70 and up residents as possible a week or two earlier." However, the dichotomy of "Team Fear Santa Clara County" vs. rational thinking is made clear when you consider the reactions to a possible delay in newly delivered doses because the reserve for the second shot is being used to get people the first shot sooner.
From SC County: “We learned this morning that no such stockpile exists. This throws into chaos expectations around vaccine delivery,” said Santa Clara County’s Chief Counsel James Williams.
From CO Governor Polis: People who are due for their second dose can receive it as scheduled, Polis said. If unexpected delays in vaccine supplies come later, hospitals can reduce their first doses to ensure everyone gets a second dose on time, the letter said.
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Santa Clara County Fears ‘Chaos’ as Vaccination Supplies Dwindle
SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County public health officials on Friday said they’re alarmed by reports the federal government has depleted its stockpile of COVID-19 vaccine — a reserve that was meant to provide a steady supply of the vaccine for the prescribed second dose. “We learned this morning that no such stockpile exists. This throws into chaos expectations around vaccine delivery,” said Santa Clara County’s Chief Counsel James Williams. Santa Clara County has significantly ramped up its distribution efforts, administering an estimated 6,000 shots a day and 30,000 shots per week. But that system was dependent on regular new shipments of the vaccine. Without those doses, the county would quickly exhaust its available supply.
By Meg Wingerter
The Denver Post
About 40,000 older Coloradans will get their first COVID-19 shot a few weeks earlier than initially planned after the state on Monday ordered providers to stop holding back second doses.
In a letter sent to vaccine providers, Gov. Jared Polis directed hospitals and others to stop holding back doses for current patients’ second shots. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, spaced three or four weeks apart, respectively.
Polis estimated that the doses currently held in reserve for future weeks will allow about 40,000 more people to get vaccinated this week. The state expects about 83,000 doses to arrive this week, meaning more than 120,000 people can get their first shot, he said.
People who are due for their second dose can receive it as scheduled, Polis said. If unexpected delays in vaccine supplies come later, hospitals can reduce their first doses to ensure everyone gets a second dose on time, the letter said.
The plan essentially shifts the 40,000 people forward a few weeks, because the second doses that had been held in reserve will have to be taken out of shipments in upcoming weeks. The announcement Monday doesn’t change the timeline of having 70% of people who are 70 and older vaccinated by the end of February, the governor said.
“We will apply the second doses in the week they’re needed,” Polis said in an interview with The Denver Post. “There’s no excuse not to protect as many 70 and up (residents) as possible a week or two earlier.”