GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: RI Is One of 22 States Not to Prioritize 65+ Population
GoLocalProv News Team
GoLocal Daily RI Vaccination Update: RI Is One of 22 States Not to Prioritize 65+ Population
Each day, we provide the most up-to-date information and data on the Rhode Island vaccination program as well as emerging national and global developments.
1. Updated CDC Data on RI
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to the CDC and updated on Thursday, Rhode Island has now:
Received 84,125 doses
Administered 44,871 doses
Of the vaccine doses received, the state has utilized 53% of the doses it has received.
2. Despite Federal Guidance, RI Will Not Prioritize 65+ for Vaccine
Rhode Island is one of 22 states that is not giving priority to older citizens. While federal agencies have urged states to focus early vaccinations on 65+, RIDOH has refused to follow the directive, according to a state by state analysis updated Thursday by the New York Times,
AARP RI and the national organization have called for 65+ to be a priority.
In a speech to the nation on Thursday night, President-elect Joseph Biden promised to vaccinate 100 million Americans in 100 days. At the present pace, states are only vaccinating at a pace of 30 million doses in 100 days.
Biden called the existing program a "dismal failure."
4. RI Health Officials Continue to Refuse to Answer How Many Rhode Islanders Need to Be Vaccinated
RIDOH officials are still refusing to disclose how many Rhode Island citizens need to be vaccinated to achieve "herd immunity."
5, The Financial Times is reporting that there is a major effort to build a "Vaccination Passport"
"Health and technology groups are working together to create a digital vaccination passport in the expectation that governments, airlines and other businesses will require proof that people have been vaccinated against COVID-19," reports FT.
"The Vaccination Credential Initiative, a coalition of organizations including Microsoft, Oracle and the US healthcare non-profit Mayo Clinic, aims to establish standards to verify whether a person has had their shot and prevent people falsely claiming to be protected against the disease."
6. Kessler Is Back
President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Dr. David Kessler to help lead Operation Warp Speed, the federal initiative to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Kessler, a pediatrician and lawyer, headed the Food and Drug Administration during the presidencies of George Bush and Bill Clinton. Presently, Kessler is co-chair of the transition team’s COVID-19 task force.
7. Norvavax Clinical Trial in RI Raises Questions
The Novavax Phase 3 clinical trial now recruiting in RI raises questions for RIers.
If one participates in the vaccine test, can you also get vaccinated by the state with either of the FDA approved vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna.