As vaccine demand far outstrips supply, the country’s leading infectious disease expert made an astonishing prediction. “By the time we get there in April, that would be what I would call for lack of better wording, open season. Namely, just about anyone and everyone in any category can start vaccinating,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci.
But vaccination sites still need doses, and that’s a big deal for Maryland. “We need damn vaccines,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We have no control over this supply problem.”
It’s the same in Los Angeles. “It’s a little bit of Hunger Games out there,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This week we only got 16,000 new doses. That’s 90,000 less than the week before. That’s unacceptable.”
The shortage is forcing several Los Angeles vaccine sites to close for two days from Friday. A site in the iconic Crenshaw Christian Center had already run out. The surrounding area includes some of the city’s hardest hit communities. The fight at Crenshaw Christian Center is personal – founder Frederick KC Price is now fighting COVID-19.
In Alabama, which ranks last in the US for vaccinations per capita, all sites are now booked through April.
Irene Cozad, 70, beat colon cancer and says she’s desperate for the vaccine. “I’m at the computer and I’m checking and I don’t know how much more I can do,” she said. ‘Disheartening, it’s almost as if I thought there was hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Now it makes me depressed. ‘
Some relief is on the way as the federal government begins to send vaccine doses directly to pharmacies on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, President Biden emphasized the need to boost vaccine supply on a tour of the National Institutes of Health laboratories where the Moderna vaccine was being developed.
“It has really turned out to be a huge logistical problem for us,” he said. “My predecessor – I’ll be blunt about it – didn’t do his job to prepare for the huge challenge of vaccinating hundreds of millions.”
Mr. Biden announced that the US had just signed contracts for an additional 100 million doses of each of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The vaccines would arrive at the end of July, he said.
Just how far some are willing to skip the line is shown by a Craigslist ad urging 75-year-olds to get their vaccine. In Massachusetts, the governor announced that those accompanying seniors to their vaccination appointments may also be given the opportunity.