RI's Coronavirus Vaccination Effort: More Doses On the Way

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is still in the first phase of coronavirus vaccinations, prioritizing those who need the immunization the most. This could change in the coming weeks, with a greater supply expected in the state at the beginning of February.

At this time, the state's weekly vaccine supply is still limited, and it must be carefully allocated, said Dr. Philip Chan, who is leading the Department of Health's vaccination effort.

"The simple answer is that state of Rhode Island simply does not have the supply right now to vaccinate everyone who wants to get vaccinated," Chan said.

The first priority is still protecting the hospital system, which means getting frontline health care workers, staff and congregate care residents vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Although the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention encouraged vaccinated everyone ages 65 and older, Rhode Island is currently focusing on residents 75 and older, who are at the highest risk of dying if they contract the virus.

"We're vaccinating a lot of people 65 and older, we're just doing it incrementally," Chan said.

All residents older 75 years old are high on the priority list, Chan said, and will likely begin receiving doses in the coming weeks. This group will become eligible after all group homes with a resident 75 years or older have been visited.

At this time, it's better to keep vaccine eligibility limited, Chain said, to avoid the "unsafe situations" seen in other states, such as long lines of people waiting to get an appointment.

More vaccine doses are likely on the way, said Tricia Washburn, the head of the Center for Preventive Services at the Department of Health. By Feb. 1, the federal government is expected to turn up the tap on dosing availability, basing it off of the number of doses administered and the population over 65, rather than simply population.

Overall, Rhode Islanders have been very eager to receive the vaccine so far, Dr. Chan said, saying there has been "very high uptake, in general, across the health care sector."

"We've seen a low rate of vaccine hesitancy," he said, adding that it is heartening to have so many Rhode Islanders reach out to the department to learn more about getting vaccinated.

Coronavirus in Rhode Island: Read more

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