January 12, 2021
Jumping to warp speed
Today surprise remarks at the Operation Warp Speed Briefing reinforced that I can write something yesterday that is completely wrong today. Overall, the news is excellent. Already vaccines are being given at a rate reaching 700,000 in a day, with hopes to reach a million doses a day in 7-10 days. Roll out is getting better every day. New Mexico is doing an awesome job with getting vaccines to rural areas. In Seattle, creative solutions are happening too. The Mayor and Seattle Fire Department announced today that the fire department will go directly to adult family homes to immunize the residents who would have a difficult time getting to a clinic or pharmacy. A good solution for them so that family members will be able to safely visit again.
The good news for lots of people is that the government now recommends that anyone over 65 and those under 65 that have at least one co-morbidity can get the vaccine. This simplifies the process and opens it up to some younger patients who are anxiously waiting the vaccine. However, it is tough on states who now have to redesign their distribution plans once again.
These new recommendations emphasize that we need to get more and more people vaccinated, so making the algorithm simple is important. If we divide into several tiers, things get confused and bogged down. Also since vaccine hesitancy is real and many people are choosing to wait and see, the more people we get vaccinated up front, the sooner those hesitant people can see the safety and benefits of the vaccine. I am seeing that effect at my workplace.
If you have had COVID-19, vaccination is still recommended, but you can wait for 3 months since you will still have some protection. The rest of you can keep in touch with your local doctors or your local health departments to find out when you can get the vaccine. Stay sensible while waiting.
Wash your hands, cover your nose, keep safe six, and engage.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.
https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2021-speeches/remarks-at-operation-warp-speed-briefing.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/seattle-fire-will-go-door-to-door-with-coronavirus-vaccines-to-adult-family-homes/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/abrupt-federal-shift-on-coronavirus-vaccinations-catches-washington-state-by-surprise/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/should-i-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-if-ive-had-the-virus/