September 17, 2020

President Donald Trump is suggesting a coronavirus vaccine can be delivered widely in a matter of weeks. But states ultimately tasked with leading the distribution effort are already confronting a host of logistical and supply chain challenges that could dash the Trump administration’s hopes of quickly distributing a vaccine once it’s approved.

State and federal officials must ensure providers are equipped to administer a vaccine that needs to be kept at extremely cold temperatures, as one of the leading vaccine candidates would require. States are also missing out on desperately sought federal funding to hire and train staff to administer the shots, as they’re also trying to amass basic supplies. Some states may also rely on a new, untested federally designed system to track who’s getting shots and manage supplies.

“It’s the littlest thing that trips up a whole system,” said Kris Ehresmann, the Minnesota Department of Health’s infectious disease director.

Read more:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/17/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-trump-states-417407