California, which is facing the worst surge of coronavirus infections to date, is loosening its vaccination protocol in an effort to avoid wasting Covid-19 vaccines.
The state health department has expanded its definition of health workers. This now includes community health workers, public health staff and people working at primary care clinics, specialty clinics and dental clinics, as well as laboratory workers and pharmacy staff.
If extra vaccines remain or doses are about to expire, people working in education, childcare, emergency services and food agriculture will also be eligible, the state said.
According to a New York Times database, only 1.3 percent of the state’s population – 528,173 people – got a chance. California wants to vaccinate another million people in the next ten days.
According to a New York Times database, California reported 36,672 new Covid-19 cases and 554 new deaths on Wednesday.
The shift in vaccine rules came days after a freezer in a Northern California hospital that stored 830 doses of Moderna vaccine failed.
Across the country, the spread of vaccine has spread.
In Florida, amid concerns about a turbulent rollout, Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday visited two vaccination sites to talk to the large population of seniors in the state about when they would get the coveted vaccinations.
As of Thursday, Florida has vaccinated nearly 2 percent of its population – just over 400,000 people.
Civil servants prioritized health workers and residents of long-term care institutions in their vaccination plan. But the rollout was bumpy.
Local media reported Tuesday that senior residents were camping in endless lines at Daytona Stadium to get a chance. The wait is reportedly 12 hours or longer.
Dr Nicole M. Iovine, chief epidemiologist at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, said the high demand was “a good problem”. The state’s ability to accelerate its distribution largely depends on how many doses are available, she said.
“Given all the complications that are happening here, I think we are going in the right direction,” said Dr. Iovine said. “There’s help coming, the vaccine is coming, and as hard as saying, ‘Be patient,’ that’s really the message we need to get out there.”