Over the past weekend, in my county, there was an evident uptick in activity to deliver anti-covid vaccine to a broader section of the population. We're still not at the stage where everybody has access, but we've moved beyond the first tier of front-line health care workers (in Virginia, that's group 1A) and now moving into the much broader group called 1-B, which includes many other categories of individuals who have immediate need because of their profession (transportation workers, teachers, police, etc.) as well as anyone who is 75 or older.
I'm 75, so by chance, I was able to get myself on a list for a vaccine tomorrow, January 13. The appointment you get can be very erratic, depending on which email you respond to, and when - I know friends who also have appointments on dates ranging from late January to mid-February. The residents of a retirement home near me began getting vaccine as of yesterday. So, it's bumpy but it's progress.
We are told that when we obtain our first vaccination, we'll get an ID card specifying which vaccine we were given, as well as an appointment for the second dose. Sounds good. Except....
Biden is talking up a plan to release all available vaccine immediately when he becomes President. The idea is that this step would make more vaccine available for more people right away, but some or most of the vaccine supply that would be released would include what's being held to provide a second dose to those who got dose 1. It seems risky to proceed on the notion that people may get one dose but would face considerable uncertainty about when, or if, they would see their second. Less risky perhaps for us 75-year-olds who can still isolate ourselves in various degrees; but especially risky for those who are exposed daily to the virus through their work.
Biden needs to clarify the issue of the second dose before proceeding. Manufacturers say two doses are necessary to obtain protection at that "95+%" level; that's the "science" here. Would Biden choose to ignore "the science," as he told us he wouldn't, in order to produce better statistics on getting shots in arms?
I share your concern. I'm 77, was moved up to the 1B group here in Colorado, and got my first vax Saturday. I'm very concerned about any plan to release those reserved second doses. The supply chain has been pretty erratic to date and I'm not at all confident about my second dose being available in four weeks. If Moderna said 2 shots, with 4 weeks between, the government shouldn't be taking chances with that schedule.
Posted by: PiedType | January 13, 2021 at 03:35 PM