Joe Biden now has the power to act on his Covid-19 vaccine plan after officially being sworn in as president.
Biden said he plans for a stronger federal response to Covid-19 compared to President Trump, who left many decisions up to the states. While Connecticut’s vaccine efforts are already in motion, the change in leadership offers new opportunities and guidance for our state.
Here are several ways that Biden’s plan can be integrated into Connecticut’s vaccine strategy.
Efficient production and distribution of the vaccine
Connecticut has been a leader in effectively distributing its allotted vaccine doses. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The state [Connecticut] has administered about half its allotted doses, compared with neighboring New York, which has administered nearly one-third of its allotment, and New Jersey, with little more than a quarter of its doses distributed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Across the U.S., about 28% of all the first doses have been administered, according to the CDC.”
Biden wants to expand the availability of vaccines. He declared he will use the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up more vaccination sites across the nation. Another key component will be to use data to ensure equitable distribution in hard-hit communities.
In order to meet the demand, Biden wants to use the Defense Production Act to increase the production of items related to vaccine distribution.
These are all initiatives that Connecticut can leverage in order to continue to stay efficient as it scales up its vaccination efforts. It will be vital that people can schedule appointments and have nearby locations to be vaccinated as the vaccine becomes more widespread to the public.
Increasing doses in the state
Success breeds success — Connecticut is poised to get tens of thousands of extra vaccine doses under the Trump administration's direction. According to WFSB, “In his call with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Lamont said Azar told him, ‘You're going to be one of the one or two states that's going to get an extra dose of vaccines starting this week in the tens of thousands because you have shown you can put to work faster to keep people safe.’"
Connecticut’s track record will be helpful as the new administration plans to release almost all available vaccine doses. States, like Connecticut, that have a strong infrastructure in place will be able to handle any influx of vaccines and should be positioned to receive more doses without fear of waste.
Improving accessibility to the vaccine
As previously mentioned, Biden wants to use the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up more vaccination sites across the nation in places like school gyms, community centers, and stadiums.
Connecticut has already shown innovation with mass vaccination sites like the old Pratt & Whitney airport at Rentschler Field, now dubbed “Vaccine Village.” Connecticut can work with the administration and follow new federal guidance. The state can also deploy the National Guard to help with vaccinations, which Biden said the federal government would reimburse states for doing.
Another area for Connecticut to explore is finding ways to make the shots available at independent and chain pharmacies. Biden has stated that is an aim for him, too.
Connecticut has been competent in its vaccine rollout so far; now is the moment to leverage new opportunities and lead the nation as a model.
For more information, visit Connecticut’s Covid-19 response website.