Severe winter weather that caused major disruptions in the Lower 48 low this week also delayed the shipment of COVID-19 vaccine en route to Alaska, and some appointments were canceled, state officials said Thursday.
At least 21 separate vaccines to Alaska have been delayed this week “due to bad weather,” said Matt Bobo, state immunization manager. Officials later made it clear that the delay affected about 3,000 vaccine doses, although it was not immediately clear to which communities the doses were heading.
State health officials said the delay is significant enough that some Alaskans will receive calls from suppliers saying they need to reschedule their vaccination for next week, after more vaccine comes.
The winter storms that plagued the Lower 48 left millions without power, jeopardizing drinking water systems and blaming the deaths of more than 40 people. States across the country – such as Texas, Alabama, Missouri and Hawaii – also experienced disruptions in the distribution of vaccines this week, as poor weather contributed to deteriorating road conditions, live deliveries and the cancellation of vaccine clinics.
Kelsey Pistonick, a public health adviser to the Alaska Vaccination Program, told a news conference Thursday that the impact could have been much worse if the delay had occurred earlier in the month, when most of the Alaska vaccine arrived.
Alaska is unique from other states in that it is granted monthly rather than weekly, meaning the state is able to order more vaccines at once. Alaska granted 59,600 first doses of the vaccine for the month of February.
“It’s very unfortunate, of course, that people have to reschedule because we delayed shipping, but it’s actually a great week for Alaska because it’s a slow shipping week for us,” she said.
Bobo said providers have been notified of the delayed shipments and that his team is working with them to make sure all canceled appointments can be rescheduled.
“We have been in touch with the White House, the federal government and the CDC to make sure we get through the backlog,” he said.