Smokers before teachers? U.S. priority fight spreads due to lack of vaccine

Confusion continues over the COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. At the beginning of vaccination, the vaccination rate was far short of the distribution volume, and as time went by, some states showed a shortage of supplies. The inoculation speed gradually increased, and the second inoculation started. The debate continues over vaccination priorities that vary from state to state.

In the United States, the federal government was responsible for securing the vaccine, but the actual administration related to vaccinations was handled by each state. In addition, there are comments that the state government has entrusted this to private hospitals, and that overall control is not properly implemented. As such, US President-elect Joe Biden said on the 15th (local time) that the vaccine distribution situation so far was “a disastrous failure.” He revealed the goal of “I will inoculate 100 million doses in 100 days after taking office.”

Experts advise that Korea, which is about to be vaccinated next month, should also make a thorough vaccination plan using cases such as the United States as teachers.

Moreover, there are concerns that the schedule is tight as the initiation of vaccination in Korea is more than two months later than in the United States, and the authorities set the target time to reach collective immunity in November this year.

The U.S., which started vaccination on the 14th of last month, originally planned to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of last year. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, only 10,59,5866 people received one vaccination as of the last 15 days, and only 1,161,524 people received twice. It means that half of the target has been achieved after 15 days from the target point.

According to the Reuters news agency on the 16th, vaccinations are being stopped at some medical institutions in New York due to a lack of vaccine supplies. An official at New York University Hospital said, “Because the state has not confirmed the supply of the vaccine, the new vaccination will be delayed indefinitely.” Mount Sinai Hospital said, “Because of a sudden change in vaccine supply, the vaccine (vaccination) reservation was canceled until the 19th.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blazio said, “We are receiving inadequate supplies about 100,000 times a week,” he said. “Next week, the vaccine will run out.” Vermont, Michigan, South Carolina, New Jersey and Oregon are also showing signs of a vaccine shortage, Reuters said.

As a result of the’shortage of vaccines’, social conflicts over’who gets right first’ are also emerging. According to CNN, in New Jersey and Mississippi, when smokers were designated as priority vaccination targets, essential workers such as teachers, who were pushed down the ranks of those who were lower than them, are complaining.

The CDC recommends that smokers, even under the age of 65, get the Corona 19 vaccine early. This is because there is a high risk of suffering severe symptoms of Corona 19. However, in the United States, the state government has discretion in selecting specific preferred vaccination targets.

CNN said, “The measures that put smokers ahead of essential personnel such as teachers are being criticized by some.” “I am disappointed and frustrated that teachers have been pushed down the ranks,” said Shoe McBride, president of the Burgundy County Education Association (NJEA) in New Jersey. “From the very beginning, we have been saying that educators should be vaccinated first,” said Steve Baker, the organization’s communications director. “This is an important step towards a safe return to face-to-face instruction.”

On this controversy, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said, “I will definitely (vaccine) emergency medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and teachers.” “Teachers are also included in the next vaccinations,” said Donna Lunner, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Department of Health. “But health officials think smoking is a health threat to residents. Our goal is to save as many lives as possible.”

After Biden’s inauguration, the federal government’s role in vaccination is expected to expand.

In his speech in Wilmington, Delaware on the 15th, Biden said, “We will establish a community vaccination center supported by the federal government, and promote vaccination programs in high-risk environments such as homeless shelters, prisons, and centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “He said. In addition, he said, “We will expand the supply of syringes, needles, glass bottles and various equipment necessary for vaccination through private companies using the defense material production method”

Kim Woo-joo, a professor of infectious medicine at Korea University, said, “Vaccination is a long and long journey that leads to securing quantities, distribution, large-scale vaccination, safety monitoring after vaccination, and achieving collective immunity.” As much as it occurs, Korea should also make detailed and detailed plans in securing quantities, selecting priorities, and securing inoculation sites,” he advised.

Reporter Lim Sun-young [email protected]