AHA seeking expedited administration of COVID-19 vaccines

In a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Sevices, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is urging the federal government to expedite the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

In the letter, sent to Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and signed by AHA President and CEO Richard J. Pollack, the organization said that amid the rollout of the first vaccinations last month, the rollout has since been slow, heightening concerns about whether vaccinating the nation would move as quickly as federal leaders had claimed it would.

“Effective vaccines, if administered properly to enough Americans, can tame this awful virus and halt the devastating impact it has had on the country,” the letter read. “But, hope alone will not be the remedy.”

Pollack said the organization shares the goal of rapidly vaccinating as many individuals as needed to get to a level of herd immunity that will allow the country to return to normal activities, according to the letter.

“In the first few weeks of administering vaccines, hospitals have seen a number of barriers to smooth and effective vaccinations,” he wrote. “We raise these to your attention so that you and your team can begin to eliminate the barriers and expedite vaccination.”

In the letter, the AHA noted that the barriers include:

• Share goals and expectations – The goal of vaccinating 75 percent of 328 million Americans by the end of May would require 1.8 million people getting the jab everyday between Jan. 15 and May 31, including weekends and holidays. There are currently 64 different microplans devised by states, large cities, and other jurisdictions, but has HHS assessed whether these plans are capable achieving this goal or is HHS working to amend the plans so that they do?
• Ongoing support – While HHS has offered initial guidance and support, the vaccination effort requires ongoing and visual coordination with critical stakeholders including prompt decision-making. Tasks must be simplified and standardized to avoid unnecessary confusion and complexity which can impede making progress in vaccinating the public.
• Track and share vaccination data – Everyone will want to know the how the rollout is going, whether there are any delays, and what is being done to resolve any issues. Showing the progress of the vaccination effort to reach the 75 percent goal would grant greater insight.

In the letter, the organization also urged Azar to establish a process within HHS with the ability to be able to coordinate the national efforts among all of the states and jurisdictions and the many stakeholders; answer all of the questions expeditiously; establish and maintain effective communication among all involved; and identify and resolve barriers to the rapid deployment of millions of doses of vaccines.