States say they lack federal funds to distribute coronavirus vaccine

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

CDC tells them to be ready by Nov. 15

State health officials are expressing frustration about a lack of federal financial support as they face orders to prepare to receive and distribute the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 15, even though one is not likely to be approved until later this year. The officials say they don’t have enough money to pay for the enormous and complicated undertaking.

State officials have been planning in earnest in recent weeks to get shots into arms even though no one knows which vaccine will be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, what special storage and handling may be required and how many doses each state will receive.

Despite those uncertainties, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking states to be prepared to “preposition” doses in key locations throughout the country. Officials want to move quickly once the FDA authorizes a vaccine and a CDC advisory panel issues recommendations on which populations should be vaccinated, according to a letter the CDC sent Monday to state preparedness and immunization officials.

As part of that effort, the CDC is asking states to provide by Tuesday critical information, including a list of each jurisdiction’s top five sites capable of receiving and administering a vaccine that must be stored at ultracold temperatures of minus-70 Celsius (minus-94 Fahrenheit). The letter refers to the vaccine only as Vaccine A, but industry and health officials have identified it as Pfizer’s candidate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/10/29/covid-vaccine-states-need-money/

Nancy Pelosi is trying to get this covered as part of the stimulus bill but so far has been stymied by Frogface Mnunchin.

[dhol82]

1. I didn't think we would have a real vaccine until summer or fall of 2021?

What is with November 15th?

[underpants]

3. That's when Pfizer will apply for authorization of their vaccine

Then experts will have to tear through the numbers.

[dhol82]

5. So why the bum's rush for November?

The administration wants to look like they are doing something positive? Or do we need that 6-8 month lead time to set up the process?

[underpants]

6. Yes and yes I think

I get the sense that Pfizer didn’t want to give Trump any campaign fuel with an earlier date. Nov 15th seems awful quick. Maybe they just came up with that to keep him off their backs.

[dhol82]

7. Guess we'll see where this is going November 15th.

[underpants]

2. Virginia estimates $120M. We have $22M set aside from CARES.

https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/october/headline-861024-en.html

The $22 million allocation of CARES Act dollars will support the Virginia Department of Health’s vaccination preparation and planning through the end of 2020. The Commonwealth will identify additional sources of funding to continue to support the vaccination program in 2021. The Virginia Department of Health’s estimates the vaccination program will cost approximately $120 million.

[underpants]

4. Uh, I thought the military was going to this

I can see trump’s plan now - Humvees and deuces with coolers of ice in the back and Pvts. Henderson and smith jumping off and running the doses into medical facilities