’FRUSTRATED’ BY SWITCHEROO
Baker miffed as he learns state to get fewer doses in early stages
Massachusetts now expects to receive 37.5% less Pfizer vaccine in its next allocation, officials said Friday, expressing frustration while acknowledging the “ever-changing” nature of the historic rollout.
Gov. Charlie Baker said the feds alerted the state that its next few allocations of the Pfizer vaccine would be smaller than anticipated — 42,900 doses instead of just more than 59,000.
“We’re certainly frustrated that we won’t be receiving the amount that we expected in the first wave,” Baker said in a State House press conference. “We’re working to get clarity on what this means, why it happens and how that bump will be dealt with along the way.”
Baker said he viewed the distribution issues reportedly now plaguing several states “as part of the lumpiness that comes with starting a program like this.” But he said the state will “probably end up receiving every bit as much as we were expected to receive” even if the deadlines are “a little different.”
“This change in delivery plans will just result in a slight delay in the overall process,” he said.
Trump administration officials told the Associated Press that states will receive their full allocations, but that misunderstandings about vaccine supply and delivery schedules may have created confusion.
Pfizer said in a statement this week that it “has not had any production issues” or shipping delays with its vaccine.
“We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses,” Pfizer said.
The Bay State now expects to receive 145,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine by the end of December instead of 180,000, a reduction of 20%, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said.
“The vaccine process, much like the pandemic itself, is fast-moving and ever-changing and we will continue to pivot as necessary,” Sudders said.
The state also put in an order for 120,000 first doses of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, which was given emergency use authorization Friday.
Baker said 59,475 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine were distributed to Massachusetts hospitals this week. Four hospitals received shipments on Monday, followed by 17 on Tuesday.
Another 19,050 doses were being distributed to 10 smaller hospitals beginning Wednesday.
More than 6,200 vaccinations have been administered statewide thus far. Baker said hospitals are reporting “overwhelming acceptance” from health care workers eligible for the shots.
The state will roll out a new weekly dashboard next Thursday with immunization data including total doses delivered and administered, as well as geographic information.
Long-term care facilities will begin vaccinations the week of Dec. 28 in partnership with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. The state will follow that with shots for first responders, and is aiming to launch its first mass vaccination sites in January.