Written by Sebastian Acosta
California is facing a lot of problems with vaccine distribution.
A major problem in the process is the failure of pharmacy chains to effectively communicate with those who are eligible to receive the vaccine, thus making immediate vaccination difficult. However, that is far from the only problem.
1,072,959 doses have been administered in the state as of Friday, that is 2,716 for every 100,000 people, according to the CDC.
Dr. David P. Eisenman, a UCLA professor of medicine and public health as well as director of the Center for Public Health and Disasters said public health departments “have to design their massive vaccination programs, and they don’t know where to begin.”
San Diego has been trying to improve its vaccination programs. Just last week a “vaccination super station” was opened near PETCO Park with hopes of vaccinating 5,000 healthcare workers per day. Unfortunately, the site reported a number of allergic reactions a few days after opening. The Coronado Community Center has also been declared as a vaccine distribution location.
Additionally, distributors have been afraid to inject non-prioritized individuals, but Eisenman claims that the vaccine has made COVID-19 “highly preventable” and thus should be given to a larger segment of people.
“You need to know how much vaccine you are going to have,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, deputy health officer for Contra Costa County. “The lack of forecasting, of clear expectation of how much vaccine you are going to have, has made it hard to plan that well. That has been a frustration factor, but I think it is getting a little bit better.”
