Mississippi runs out of COVID-19 vaccine. Timetable now ‘impossible,’ health dept. says
Mississippi no longer can offer COVID-19 vaccine — beyond the doses reserved for people with appointments — until next month when more vaccine becomes available, the State Department of Health said Wednesday.
The announcement comes one day after Gov. Tate Reeves said he is expanding vaccine eligibility to a wider population — those 65 and older or with pre-existing conditions. The governor said he wants to get “shots in the arms” of Mississippians as quickly as possible, vowing to open vaccines to first responders and teachers next week.
The state phone line for vaccine appointments was overwhelmed, even before Reeves ended his news conference Tuesday. MSDH appointments available through covidvaccine.umc.com were completely booked by Wednesday afternoon.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs of MSDH said Wednesday evening that the 52,000 eligible residents who have booked appointments will receive vaccinations over the next two weeks. No new appointments are available through January, he said.
“We will add appointments and share doses with critical state partners should more become available,” Dobbs said on Twitter.
Hospitals that were administering vaccine to the public were notified Monday that their shipments for this week would be going instead to MSDH to honor the appointments booked at its 18 drive-thru clinics, according to the Mississippi Hospital Association. Hospitals won’t be able to offer first doses of vaccines for at least a few weeks, the MHA said.
Second doses required within three weeks of the initial shot will be available, Dobbs and MHA confirmed.
The MSDH, along with participating hospitals and clinics, were in the process of vaccinating residents 75 and older, on the priority list behind health care workers who have received vaccines. The MSDH was following a plan recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The MSDH news release said the plan had been “significantly altered in the last few days — especially in the last 24 hours.”
It didn’t mention of Reeves’ decision to open up vaccines to a broader population but indicated that demand far outstrips supply.
“Neither the county health department drive-through sites, nor the UMMC vaccine scheduling website was designed to accommodate the monumental surge we are currently experiencing,” the news release said.
“At this time, we have no additional vaccine, and every appointment is tied to an actual vaccination,” the release said.
Dobbs clarified Wednesday night in a tweet that the MSDH was part of the decision to move forward with expansion of those eligible for the vaccine, saying, “Makes sense to protect those most vulnerable.”
Tuesday, the CDC also recommended expanding the age group to 65 and older.
Around the same time, Reeves tweeted: “A few weeks ago, Mississippi was the slowest state in the country to deliver the vaccine. Today, we’re poised to administer every vaccine that the federal government gives us weekly — at least for the next two weeks. We are not out of vaccine. We are operating at max capacity.”
Hospitals, clinics left without new vaccine shipments
Coast hospitals report they have scheduled second doses and are notifying residents when they should receive the booster shots — 21 days after the first shot for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 28 days for the Moderna vaccine.
But hospitals statewide have been notified they may not receive additional first doses for several weeks, Mississippi Hospital Association CEO Tim Moore said.
He is hearing from hospital administrators who had shuffled health care workers and resources to offer the vaccine.
On the Coast, Memorial Hospital and Singing River Health System had vaccinated thousands of residents, receiving recognition from the governor for their efforts during Tuesday’s news conference.
“It’s created a convoluted situation where patients aren’t able to go to the provider they’re most familiar with, whether it’s their hospital or clinic, to their trusted provider,” said Richard Roberson, vice president of policy and advocacy at MHA. “That’s where patients typically feel most comfortable getting their care.
“From the hospitals’ perspective, certainly, we want to make sure patients have access to their trusted provider when they need health care services, especially when this vaccine is so important to us personally, and to all of us as a state, as a nation.”
Moore did not fault Dobbs for the abrupt vaccine shortage.
“I admire the health department for all they’ve done and all they’ve tried to do,” he said. “Dr. Dobbs has worked with us. I’m trying to work with him now to find some solutions.”
Appointments will open as doses become available
The MSDH news release says:
“The Mississippi State Department of Health hopes to receive a large shipment of vaccine in mid-February that should help put additional shots in people’s arms. We understand the frustration brought on by this sudden change of plans. We will certainly keep all Mississippians updated regarding additional vaccine.
“Mississippians should understand that we can only vaccinate residents based on vaccine availability. We will open additional vaccination appointments as we receive more vaccine.
“Again, the timetable was incredibly altered to make vaccinating everyone eligible impossible.
“In the meantime, all Mississippians — whether vaccinated or not — should continue to follow protective guidelines. Especially avoid any social gatherings. And always wear a mask.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2021 at 4:54 PM.
