What to do if there is a Covid-19 vaccine

After early challenges, the delivery of vaccine keeps pace with supply. But by the end of March, the monthly vaccine supply could reach 100 million doses. To keep up, the vaccination rate needs to double and then some. It requires a holistic approach to the administration of vaccines, the utilization of large capacity in pharmacies, primary care practices and other reliable healthcare providers.

Especially with improved delivery, supply will exceed demand at some point, perhaps in April. The challenge is not to ration a scarce resource, but how to reach patients who are reluctant to be vaccinated. More than half of Americans, based on the latest Kaiser Family Foundation surveys, say they do not want to be vaccinated. Some may just want to wait; others may not be willing to get it.

One reason for the hesitation may be that it was necessary to ration rare doses at the beginning, which caused many Americans to internalize the idea that some people have more benefits or more deserving than others. It is important to emphasize in public health messages that every adult can benefit and deserve the protection they can offer, and that there is no reason to give it up once the scarcest problem has been resolved.

The government at every level needs to work with as many partners as possible to expand access. More Americans will take the vaccine if they can get it in a comfortable place. Not everyone will be willing to stand in Dodger Stadium. Insurers, pharmacies and large employers can help public health systems reach people in every community.

Medicare shares health plan information on the immunization status of Medicare Advantage policyholders to help focus plans on individuals and communities who have not yet been vaccinated. Medicare should also share data with primary care providers. Utah shares vaccination data and works with health care systems such as Intermountain, with an emphasis on issuing low-income and hard-to-reach beneficiaries. The federal government should provide financial support and technical assistance to enable more states to set up such partnerships quickly.

Washington can also help state and local efforts to improve scheduling plan as far as possible on the calendar. States can, for example, send those who cannot be vaccinated according to the current rationing rules a vaccine ticket that can be redeemed later. No one should be turned away: Those looking for a dose should find something that connects them to a future lock.

America also needs an effective public education campaign to alleviate fears and uncertainties about the safety and benefits of the vaccine. The Covid Collaborative, which works with the Ad Council and community organizations, tests educational approaches that can address the doubts of skeptics, for example, working with influencers who can talk to certain groups who are more reluctant or complacent, such as younger Americans. People in their twenties and thirties, who need to be vaccinated when doses are available, may not show up if they are not engaged – especially since their appearance is declining and with it a sense of urgency.

There are large gaps in the vaccination figures in race, income and location. Surveys suggest that trust is also breaking along political lines, with many Republicans skeptical of being vaccinated. Even eligible groups, such as health workers, reject the vaccine at high prices.

The focus now is on expanding distribution and increasing supply. The problems will soon shift to the demand side of the equation. It’s time to address the next set of challenges.

Dr. Gottlieb is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and was commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, 2017-19. Dr. McClellan is Director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University and was FDA Commissioner, 2002-04. Dr. Gottlieb serves on the boards of Pfizer and Illumina and Dr. McClellan on the boards of Johnson and Johnson and Cigna; each company is involved in aspects of the Covid response.