HomeMy WebLinkAbout01172021_Roye_COVIDFrom:krillroye
To:Board of Health
Subject:Vaccine supply?
Date:Sunday, January 17, 2021 10:45:47 AM
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January 7th the Port Townsend Leader reported in a story about COVID vaccinations that
Jefferson Healthcare had declined a shipment of vaccine because, “We have more than enough
to do what we need at this moment, so it wouldn't be fair for us to receive an additional
shipment from Moderna,” she [Jefferson Healthcare spokesperson Amy Yaley] said. “Once
that line opens up we'll get regular allocations moving forward. It was great for us to see that
second shipment come because that showed that the supply chain was working and that
everything is moving the way it should, so we anticipate there being regular shipments.”
But a week later the Peninsula Daily News, addressing the same vaccine supply concerns,
wrote,
“Vaccine doses are still extremely limited, especially when compared to the older
populations...as more than 7,000 residents in Jefferson County...are older than 70, said
[Jefferson County Health officer Dr. Tom] Locke. “We're in a situation right right now where
there are many more who want to get the vaccine —and who are eligible for [it] — than there
is vaccine to meet the need,” Locke said. “That’s going to be the main limiter right now, is
vaccine supply.”
Who has it right, Yaley or Dr. Locke? The hospital or the health department? The Leader or
The Daily News? Do we have too much vaccine? Or too little? Why is Port Townsend lagging
behind Port Angles, Sequim and Widby Island who have already begun vaccinating the 70+
age group? At this time in this pandemic, following months of misinformation either as
official national policy or local confusion, it's absolutely critical that we get the honest
unvarnished facts.
Mark Roye
Port Townsend
360-390-8311