The White House is currently making plans to send massive shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to emerging hotspots in the U.S.
Two senior administration officials told CNN the Biden administration is very worried that the number of Americans traveling over Spring Break will lead to a fourth surge of the coronavirus.
Members of the federal government’s COVID-19 response team have been scouring data to project where outbreaks of the virus might pop up and plotting different potential scenarios.
In an attempt to avoid this, officials plan to speed up the vaccine rollout and inoculate Americans who are at the highest risk.
So far, 21.7 percent of the population has received at least one dose and 11.8 percent are fully immunized – and about two million adults are being vaccinated every day.
The Biden administration is planning to send huge shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to emerging hotspots in the U.S., including vaccinating workers in high-risk occupations. Pictured: A shipment of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Northwell Health South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York, March 2021
It comes amid fears that Spring Breakers will lead to a surge in cases. Pictured: People spend spring break at the beach in Miami Beach, Florida, March 15
The boost in vaccines should help ramp up efforts as about two million Americans receive shots in arms every day
‘Everything we do is with the thought in mind that there might be another surge,’ a senior administration official told CNN.
Over the past few days, record numbers of people have passed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
More than six million people have been screened at airports over the last five days. That’s more than 5.6 million screened in the five days after Christmas 2020.
Photos have shown thousands of people crowding on beaches not wearing masks, drinking and being in close contact with each other.
Officials told CNN are planning to mobilize vaccine resources at immunization sites across the country that are run or supported by the federal government.
One such example includes giving shot to workers in high-risk occupations such as meat processing plants.
Another examples includes sending more vaccine dose to pharmacies that have a partnership with the White House.
This is a step up from the surge in testing sites and monoclonal antibody treatments the administration was creating earlier in the pandemic.
‘We have different tools than we did last year,’ the official told CNN.
‘We can’t play yesterday’s game against this virus.’
AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine trial data is being reviewed in the U.S. as several European countries halt use over blood clot fears. Pictured: A vial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, March 2021
So far, 21.7% of the population has received at least one dose and 11.8% are fully immunized
Meanwhile, the NIH revealed yesterday that data for AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine trial in the U.S. are currently being reviewed by independent advisors.
If the vaccine appears to be safe and effective, it could be approved by the FDA within a month, adding a fourth weapon to the country’s vaccine arsenal.
At least 10 countries in Europe have suspended use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine over reports of dangerous blood clots in a few recipients.
The head of the European Medicines Agency said the organization is ‘firmly convinced’ the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks, but will make a formal decision on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Mississippi became the second state – following Alaska – to make all residents able to be vaccinated. Pictured: boxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi, December 2020
In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont announced all adults will tentatively be eligible starting on April 5. Pictured: Granby kindergarten school teacher Christina Kibby receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, March 2021
It comes as more states expand vaccine eligibility to include all adults over age 16 after President Joe Biden called for everyone to be eligible for vaccines by May 1.
On Tuesday, Mississippi became the second state – following Alaska – to make all residents able to be vaccinated.
‘Starting tomorrow, ALL new appointments will be open to ALL Mississippians. Get your shot friends – and let’s get back to normal!’ Governor Tate Reeves tweeted on Monday.
In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he would be accelerating the state’s age-based rollout of the vaccine.
Tentatively, all residents over the age of 16 will be able to schedule an appointment for the shot beginning on April 5.
Connecticut officials say they continue to rank among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of population that has been vaccinated.
‘We have some of the best and most dedicated providers in Connecticut who have been working around-the-clock to create the infrastructure that will provide vaccines to as many residents as we can as quickly as possible,’ Lamont said.
