How the Sutter Health COVID-19 vaccine shortage was (kind of) fixed – KRON4

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Sutter Health is expecting a new shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine after being forced to cancel thousands of appointments, but its not enough to get everyone back in line.

The healthcare company said it started postponing vaccinations in February, and so far has stopped appointments all the way through March 9. This included second-dose appointments, which are time-sensitive.

Sutter Health said on Tuesday that due to a lack of supply, up to 40,000-second dose appointments would be canceled this week, and possibly up to 50,000 more second dose appointments in the weeks ahead.

Now, some slightly better news: Sutter says the state has committed to giving them 60,000 doses over the next two weeks That would still leave them 30,000 doses short.

Sutter is saying, Many county and local health partners have given Sutter vaccine in recent days. This additional and unexpected supply, along with the states commitment, allows us to reschedule those impacted patients, starting as early as this weekend.

They say, as long as we continue to receive sufficient supply, we anticipate being able to complete all second dose vaccinations well within the CDCs recommended timeframe,which is up to six-weeks between doses.

Patients began getting calls on Thursday to reschedule their previously canceled vaccine appointments.

Due to the timing of the delivery, Sutter Health said we do expect many patients will need to be postponed 7-14 days.

All patients who have an appointment beyond March 9 were not impacted.

Sutter Health launched vaccination appointments first for patients ages 75 and up, in accordance with the states guidance, on January 14.

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How the Sutter Health COVID-19 vaccine shortage was (kind of) fixed - KRON4