GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: NYT Flags RI As Only State Not to Expand Eligibility

GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: NYT Flags RI As Only State Not to Expand Eligibility

Wednesday's GoLocal vaccination update provides the most up-to-date information and data on the Rhode Island vaccination program as well as emerging national and global developments.

 

1. RI’s embattled vaccination program now drawing more national attention.

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The New York Times writes Wednesday, “Whether the threshold is 65 or 80, people who meet their state’s age requirement are eligible to get a Covid-19 vaccination shot in every U.S. state but one.

The exception: Rhode Island, the only state still in the first phase of its vaccination campaign, which restricts access to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.”

“We moved here three months ago from Georgia, where everyone I know has been vaccinated,” said Ms. Diener, a travel agent. “We’re a little disappointed that the state of Rhode Island, being as small as it is, just can’t get it together.”

GoLocal reported last week that two national publications cited RI's flailing program.

 

 

2. RI Now Has Utilized 56% of Its Vaccine

RIDOH officials continue to struggle to get Rhode Islanders vaccinated.

According to the CDC and updated on Wednesday, RI has now:

Received 176,150 doses

Administered 99,541 doses 

Of the vaccine doses received, RI has utilized 56%

Updated 2/3/2021

 

 

3. Initial Study Indicates AstraZeneca Vaccine Shown to Curb Covid-19 Transmission

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Researchers from the University of Oxford said Tuesday its Covid-19 vaccine could have a substantial effect on curbing virus transmission after one dose, and said that spacing doses apart by as long as three months improved effectiveness, according to data adding to previously published findings.

The data is preliminary and not peer reviewed, and some outside scientists said it wasn’t enough to draw definitive conclusions. Still, it is the first to show a vaccine might be able to slow the spread of the disease, not only prevent people from developing symptoms of it. All of the major Western vaccines now employed around the world have been shown to be effective at various levels at keeping people from getting sick. Scientists have hoped that they could reduce asymptomatic transmission, as well.

U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday it was “good news for the whole world” that the vaccine appeared to slow transmission.