Some of Americas biggest retailers are preparing to take a central role in administering Covid-19 shots, hoping to avoid logjams and other complications that have slowed the vaccine rollouts early days.
The U.S. fell far short of its initial goal of inoculating 20 million people by the end of 2020, with health departments, hospital systems and long-term-care facilities beset by supply-chain bottlenecks, vaccine hesitancy and confusing, scattershot systems for making appointments.
Not all Americans are eligible for the vaccines, and shots remain in short supply. But vaccines are becoming more broadly available in some states, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to make them available in local pharmacies beginning next month. There is no cost to receive the vaccine.
(Check the WSJs state-by-state guide.)
The job of vaccinating large swaths of the population will fall largely on retail pharmacies, with companies such as CVS Health Corp. , Walgreens -Boots Alliance Inc., Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co. saying they are prepared to give tens of millions of shots a month.
TDH estimates there are about 300,000 Tennesseans in the 70-74-year-old age group. Tennessee can expand COVID-19 vaccination access to this age group after an increase in the states allocation of COVID-19 vaccines. Tennessee is expecting about 93,000 doses of these vaccines this week, a 15 percent increase in the states previous weekly vaccine allocations.
Drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site to open in The Villages this week : How to sign up WFTV Orlando
The goal of this vaccination strategy, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the Biden administration, is to achieve widespread or herd immunity by the fall of 2021, which would require vaccinating as many as 280 million people.
Read next: COVID-19 sparks unprecedented increase in telemedicine
One issue of great importance to the US business community, and something that every single company is grappling with at the moment, is the question of whether employers will have to, or will be able to, require their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine before theyre allowed to return to work in an office. Joan Woodward, president of the Travelers Institute and EVP of Public Policy at Travelers, discussed this in the institutes Wednesday With Woodward webinar on The Race to Distribute a COVID-19 Vaccine.
A lot of employers are very worried. We see it in our business of selling insurance to other businesses, she said. Woodward was joined in the discussion by former FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark McClellan, who currently serves as the Robert J. Margolis Professor of Business, Medicine, and Policy, and founding director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University. When she asked whether the health policy expert thought employers would have to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations in order to fully reopen the economy, McClellan said he thinks the US can reach herd immunity without mandating vaccines in the short term.
To do the math for what its going to take, weve got close to 30 million Americans infected so far, and probably many more that havent had an official detection of their infection, said McClennan. I think most of the epidemiologic estimates now are maybe at 18-20% of the population thats actually been exposed. Given this horrible surge were in the midst of now, thats probably going to be 25% or more by the end of January.
If we can get another 40-50% of people to take the vaccine throughout our country - not just in certain areas, but broadly - thats a pathway to something like herd immunity, or certainly at least [a situation where] healthcare systems not being overburdened. You can see that happening by the end of the second quarter if things keep on track [] so we can get to a level of herd immunity if we do things right from here.
Read more: Lloyds to offer cover for COVID-19 vaccine delivery
McClellan, who is a former Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said he does expect mandatory vaccinations to happen at some point over the coming months, especially in high-risk workplaces. But right now, there are very few places that do it.
At Duke University, weve made [the vaccination] available to all of our frontline health workers, he added. Some have said no, and thats OK for now. Weve got full precautions in place anyway - PPE, social distancing, etc. - and we have [] very good confidence that were containing spread within the workplace under these very modified conditions.
If you want to go to back to a workplace that is less modified, you need to be very confident that youve got high levels of immunity in your worker population to relax some of those measures. Thats probably not going to happen in the next few months because we need to keep these measures in place anyway, and because were still early on with the vaccines.
Both Pfizer and Moderna are very much on track, according to McClennan, toward completing their longer-term clinical studies and gaining full FDA approval (not just emergency approval) by the spring.
By the second half the year, there should be several vaccines that are not just emergency approved, but fully approved, with very good safety, track records, regulatory data and so forth, said McClennan. I think after that point is when youll start seeing more requirements for getting vaccinations when people really want to move forward with reducing some of the distancing measures and getting more groups back together and things like that. But I think its much easier when youre not dealing with emergency use, but youre dealing with normal FDA-approved vaccines.
Monday, some teachers and staff in Youngstown received their first doses
by: Brooke Meenachan
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Another week, another group of people ready to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Monday, some teachers and staff in Youngstown received their first doses.
Locally, Most districts wont start vaccinating until the middle of the week, but some private schools in Youngstown already got the ball rolling.
The Youngstown City Health District is in charge of vaccinating the private schools in the city.On Monday, 71 employees were vaccinated at Potential Development and 33 at St. Christines.
We have two to four different schools a day. By Friday, well be done with all our schools. It totals to about 418 people that well be doing, said Youngstown City Heath Commissioner Erin Bishop.
Bishop says about 75 to 80 percent of staff want the vaccine. One of them is Amy Savich, who has been a kindergarten teacher at St. Christines for 20 years.
Im feeling great. The needle was a little bigger than I expected, but I did not feel a thing, Savich said. Were frontline workers. Were trying to keep the kids. They need to be in school. They need that one on one interaction.
Bishop says so far, everything has been running smoothly, even when Mondays snowstorm canceled classes.
It was so gracious of the teachers at both Potential as well as St. Christines that they came out on their snow day to come and be vaccinated, she said.
Bishop says it helps them immensely because things are still on schedule.
Youngstown City Health will wrap up the first round of doses on Friday. Second doses will be given starting March 1.
Today Gov. Jim Justice, the West VirginiaDepartment of Health and Human Resources, and the West Virginia Joint InteragencyTask Force for COVID-19 Vaccinesannounced the COVID-19 vaccine clinics thatwill be held in all 55 counties throughout the state Feb. 3-6, 2021 throughOperation Save Our Wisdom.
This weeks clinics are available for WestVirginians who are 65 years of age and older. Residents from any county in WestVirginia may access an appointment at any of the vaccination clinics listed,regardless of their county of residence.
Many clinics arelisted as full as they are utilizing existing waitlists. However, WestVirginians can now pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine through the WestVirginia COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System at www.vaccinate.wv.gov. All clinics require appointments and walk-ins will not beaccepted.
Due to possible inclement weather this week, pleasecheck local news media and social media for any changes or delays.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
CabellCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Valley Health Milton, 1Harbour Way, Milton, WV 25541. Byappointment only.
Kanawha County (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., RiversideHigh School, 1 Warrior Way, Belle, WV 25015. By appointment only.
Mason County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., National Guard Armory, 4194 Ohio River Road, Pt.Pleasant, WV 25550. By appointment only.
Mineral County (FULL:Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m., Mineral County Health Department, 541 Harley O. Staggers Drive, Keyser, WV 26726. By appointment only.
Mingo County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., 2nd dose shots only; 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., 1st dose shots only.
Williamson MemorialHospital, 189 Alderson Street, Williamson, WV 25661 By appointment only.
Monroe County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Church of God Fellowship Center, 96 Bud RidgeRoad, Union, WV 24981. By appointment only.
Pleasants County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Pleasants County Library, 101 Lafayette Street,Saint Marys, WV 26170. By appointment only.
Pocahontas County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Marlinton Wellness Center, 320 9th Street,Marlinton, WV 24954. By appointment only.
Preston County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Craig Civic Center, 311 Tunnelton Street,Kingwood, WV 26537. By appointment only.
Randolph County (FULL:Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Phil Gainer Community Center, 142 Robert E.Lee Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241 26537. By appointment only.
Summers County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hinton Freight Depot, 506 Commercial Street,Hinton, WV 25951. By appointment only.
Taylor County (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Taylor County Senior Center, 52 Trap SpringsRoad, Grafton, WV 26354. By appointment only.
Wirt County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Coplin Health Systems, 483 Court Street,Elizabeth, WV 26143. By appointment only.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Braxton County (FULL:Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Pfizer 2nd Dose Only; 4:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m. Moderna 1st & 2nd Doses.
Gassaway Baptist Church, 56Beall Drive, Gassaway WV 26624. By appointment only.
Cabell County - A(FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., St.Mary's Education Center, 2853 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25702. By appointmentonly.
Cabell County - B(FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., OldHighlawn Baptist, 2788 Rear Collis Avenue, Huntington, WV 25702. Byappointment only.
Calhoun County (FULL: Will utilize existingwaitlist)
9:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Calhoun Middle/High School - Front Loop, 50Underwood Circle, Mt. Zion, WV 26151. By appointment only.
GrantCounty (FULL:Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., E.A. Hawse Health Center, 111 S. Grove St., Suite 1, Petersburg, WV 26847. Byappointment only.
Greenbrier County A (FULL: Willutilize existing waitlist)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Rainelle Medical Center, 176 Medical Center Drive, Rainelle, WV 25962. By appointment only.
Greenbrier County B (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., WV Building-WV State Fairgrounds, 947 Maplewood Ave,Lewisburg, WV 24901. By appointment only.
HampshireCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hope Christian Church, 15338 Northwestern Turnpike, Augusta, WV 26704. By appointment only.
HarrisonCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Nathan Goff Armory, 5 Armory Road, Clarksburg, WV 26301. By appointment only.
Jackson County (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Jackson County Armory, 8832Pt. Pleasant Road, Millwood, WV 25262. By appointment only.
Jefferson County (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Ranson Civic Center, 432West 2nd Avenue, Ranson, WV 25438. Byappointment only.
LoganCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Logan County Resource Center, 100Recovery Road, Peach Creek, WV 25639. By appointment only.
Ohio County (OPEN:Appointments 65(+) via www.vaccinate.wv.gov)
6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Highlands Old Michaels Building, 550 CabelaDrive, Triadelphia, WV 26059. By appointment only. Register at www.vaccinate.wv.gov.
Pendleton County (OPEN: Appointments 65(+) viawww.vaccinate.wv.gov)
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Pendleton Community Building, Confederate Road, Franklin, WV 26807. By appointment only. Register atwww.vaccinate.wv.gov.
RaleighCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Beckley Convention Center, 200 ArmoryDrive, Beckley, WV 25801. By appointment only.
RitchieCounty (FULL: Will utilize existing waitlist)
9:00a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Ritchie County 4-H Camp, 4-H Camp Road,Harrisville, WV 26362. By appointment only.
OLATHE, Kan. Area health systems are beginning to help Johnson County expand COVID-19 vaccinations to more people. The countys health director says seniors 65 and older, special education teachers and first responders began receiving the vaccine Monday.
The county expects about 10,000 doses will be distributed this week as hospitals like Olathe Medical Center and Advent Health call patients for immunization appointments.
Childrens Mercy Hospital also this week will give shots to special education staff for grades kindergarten through 12, and for staff at the Kansas School for the Deaf.
The health department asks that people who think they qualify to not call the hospitals, they will call you.
Some of them have several thousand, tens of thousands of people who qualify for this, said Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of Johnson County Health and Environment.
They only have a few doses. They can only reach out to some just like we can only reach out to some.
Areola estimates vaccinating educators and child care providers alone is a group of about 30,000 people in Johnson County. The 65-plus group is even larger, so this will take some time, because right now the county only expects to receive less than 7,000 doses a week.
Johnson County did receive some extra doses Thursday. Areola says supply is incrementally improving, and the health department says it knows folks are frustrated.
The county has a team of up to eight people doing nothing but answering thousands of phone calls from the public each day.
Johnson County also is adding volunteers and hiring outside contractors to return voice mail messages.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- President Joe Biden is set to meet on Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators who have proposed $618 billion in coronavirus relief - about a third ofthe $1.9 trillion he is seekingas congressional Democrats are poised to move ahead without Republican support.
The Republicans propose slimmer benefits, including $1,000 in direct payments to individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.
Only 55% of the citys firefighting force has shown up to receive a coronavirus shot, a lower number than originally announced, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said Monday.
Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas said in a statement to The Times that the department reconciled its vaccination numbers across various software platforms in the last few days and determined that 1,842 of the roughly 3,400 rank and file firefighters have volunteered to be inoculated since shots started Dec. 28.
The department reported in mid-January that 60% of firefighters have been vaccinated. The doses have been offered each week to firefighters.
That leaves 45% of the force still potentially unprotected against the sometimes deadly coronavirus. While several hundred firefighters who recently contracted the virus have been advised to wait 90 days before they get the shot, hundreds more have thus far declined to participate.
L.A. firefighters who are reluctant add to the list of healthcare workers in the state who are declining to take the vaccine, a trend that health experts say could have serious public health implications.
Firefighters are on the front lines of the pandemic, with many working as paramedics and emergency medical technicians. More than 860 city firefighters roughly one-quarter of the force have tested positive thus far. Two have died, most recently Capt. George Roque, 57, a 22-year veteran.
As part of their work responding to 911 calls and delivering patients to emergency rooms, many firefighters are routinely in contact with sick patients. Regardless of whether they get a shot, they are required to wear protective equipment on the job.
Despite the departments low turnout, the number of firefighters testing positive for the coronavirus has dropped significantly since the city fire agency began offering its members vaccinations, Terrazas said in a memo to firefighters last week.
In a bid to encourage participation, the department has resorted to offering prizes to those who get the shot. Vaccinated firefighters get entered into a raffle where the gifts include Canary home security cameras, Google Nest entertainment systems, Aventon fixed-gear bicycles and gift cards for Airbnb and Lyft.
The gifts are funded by the LAFD Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money to support the department, according to a memo distributed by Terrazas that was obtained by The Times.
Both Terrazas and Mayor Eric Garcetti have said they would potentially make the vaccination mandatory if firefighters remain reluctant as time goes by. Though neither of them have yet to indicate they are ready to take that step.
The LAFD will continue to offer the vaccine to its sworn members on a weekly basis, Terrazas said. I and our union partners strongly encourage all of our firefighters to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Judy Mark, president of advocacy group Disability Voices United, said that if frontline workers, including firefighters, were all vaccinated, that would certainly keep us much safer.
Gov. Gavin Newsoms recent decision to shift vaccine priority to an age-based eligibility structure angered Marks group and others, who argue that disabled people will have to wait longer to get vaccinated.
If there are firefighters and healthcare workers who dont want the shots, they should step aside for those that do, Mark said.
By WKRN January 30, 2021 3:46 pm
CLARKSVILLE, TN (WKRN) Montgomery County and Clarksville city leaders are working to find another location for administering the COVID-19 vaccine where the weather will not cause delays.
More than 15,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Montgomery County since the start of the pandemic and 160 people have died as of Thursdays update from the Tennessee Department of Health; the state reported about 1,200 active cases on Thursday as well.
Montgomery County is currently vaccinating people in phase 1a1, 1a2 and those over the age of 75.
County Mayor Jim Durrett said the county and city are actively looking for another vaccination site because there was a two-hour delay in vaccinations earlier this week when storms rolled through the area.
Our people just couldnt vaccinate. There was lightning. It was storming, even though we have tents, even though Montgomery County has provided trailers for the employees to seek shelter in. Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville, were looking at an alternative site that will be an all-weather site where we dont have delays, Mayor Durrett said.
Especially coming up this time of year in spring where we get quite a few thunderstorms and some inclement weather that comes through here, and if weve got 300 people lined up to get a vaccine we want that to happen.
About 2.4 percent of the countys residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The countys mask mandate that was set to expire Friday was extended to February 27. Mayor Durrett said statistics show masks help with containing the spread of the virus.
Were hoping that we can get more vaccines, that we can get more vaccines in peoples arms and hopefully get rid of this mask mandate, the mayor said.
