# How does vaccine distribution work? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [November 23, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275 "2020-11-23T16:31:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/181 "2020-12-31T00:25:17Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > we now know how distribution will be handled. I’m jealous. I still have no idea how my state is going to do it. I don’t think my doctor does, either. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/182 "2021-01-01T19:28:55Z")
> **[Some healthcare workers refuse to take COVID-19 vaccine, even with priority...](https://news.yahoo.com/healthcare-workers-refuse-covid-19-130028292.html?utm_source=suckit%2Btrebeck)** > > Doubts about the vaccine among healthcare workers could have serious implications for public health, say experts. 50% of California’s Riverside County frontline workers refused the vaccine when offered. 20% to 40% of frontline healthcare workers in LA County refused it. Assuming healthcare workers are more educated and accepting of vaccination in general, this doesn’t seem like good news. > So many frontline workers in have refused the vaccine — an estimated 50% — that hospital and public officials met to strategize how best to distribute the unused doses I guess on the bright side, maybe the vaccine will be easier to get. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/183 "2021-01-01T19:34:51Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Let’s keep political jabs out of this forum. Can we acknowledge that it’s difficult to discuss the problems that keep arising in our national pandemic policies without mentioning our national political leadership? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/184 "2021-01-01T19:46:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > [@Colibri](#): > > > > Let’s keep political jabs out of this forum. > > Can we acknowledge that it’s difficult to discuss the problems that keep arising in our national pandemic policies without mentioning our national political leadership?, Using terms like “freaking idiot chump” and “Dear Leader” aren’t just “mentioning our national political leadership.” I’m sure that you can understand that. If someone wishes to make comments like that, the Pit is available. Further questions about moderation of this forum should be taken to ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/185 "2021-01-02T17:35:23Z")
Maybe we need to think REALLY outside the box to increase the number doing vaccinations. For instance: How many vets/vet techs are there in America? If anything, it ought to be a lot easier to inject humans than dogs, given we mostly don’t have anywhere near as much hair in the way. What about diabetics? How many millions of us are already giving ourselves injections, often multiple times a day? How about drug addicts? Well… okay, maybe not. How about putting the vaccine in those EpiPen type things? Self-serve, no wait! ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/186 "2021-01-02T17:44:56Z")
Here’s a nice look at vaccinations per capita by country. Note, this is doses administered, not complete 2-dose vaccination treatments. And, as with all COVID-related data, assume there is likely a lag in reporting. > **[Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations](https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations)** > > Our vaccination dataset uses the most recent official numbers from governments and health ministries worldwide. Population estimates for per-capita metrics are based on the United Nations World Population Prospects. Income groups are based on the... I was surprised to see the US is actually ahead of all of Europe, except the UK, at this point. Also, Israel has really hit the ground running. What is their strategy? ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/187 "2021-01-02T17:52:24Z")
The EU was the last to approve the Pfizer vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/188 "2021-01-02T17:56:55Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > What about diabetics? How many millions of us are already giving ourselves injections, often multiple times a day? Vaccines into intramuscular locations are a different beast, not quite as “oh, well, it’s the same general idea, good enough”. > [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > How about drug addicts? Well… okay, maybe not. Same, but also addicts are not known for their sterile technique. You kind of want that in an injection preventing infections and pressure on our healthcare system. They would, however, be stellar at getting every last drop out of the vial. > [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > How about putting the vaccine in those EpiPen type things? Self-serve, no wait! Back to the challenges of doing an intramuscular injection versus a subcutaneous. Getting a volume of liquid under the skin somewhere on your own body is much easier than getting it into the deeper muscle mass in the right location. Needle has to be longer and at the right angle among other things. Auto injectors are also much, much more expensive per unit delivered, as in a few cents vs. close to a hundred dollars. Plus the logistical nightmare of manufacturing hundreds of millions of them. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/189 "2021-01-03T00:02:01Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > Also, Israel has really hit the ground running. What is their strategy? It’s not that Israel is moving that fast, it’s that the rest of the world is moving so damn slow. What’s up with you guys? Why isn’t anyone prepared? It’s not like you didn’t know that a vaccine would be coming along eventually. Crunch the numbers, get people out in the field, and just do it. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/190 "2021-01-03T00:51:17Z")
Some states are clueless and/or failed to plan. But the biggest problem is funding. The states mostly know what they should be doing, but have no money to do so because the federal government isn’t providing it. So they scrape by with what they can, or push it down to the county level, creating an even more fractured system. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/191 "2021-01-03T01:22:56Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I still have no idea how my state is going to do it. I don’t think my doctor does, either. I know my doctor doesn’t (unless she’s found out in the last couple of days.) I asked her how I’d find out when I’m eligible and she had no idea, other than a general suggestion to watch the state’s website in the hope of eventual further information. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/192 "2021-01-03T01:36:56Z")
Yeah, i reached out to my doctor, and he has no idea, either. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/193 "2021-01-03T02:32:29Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > . . . it ought to be a lot easier to inject humans than dogs, given we mostly don’t have anywhere near as much hair in the way. Thank you for the laugh. While vets need minimal training, I think they are already busy. Another possibility is recruiting retired medical staff. The big problem there is that old people know themselves to be at high COVID risk. But some would have signed on with a promise of getting the vaccine on the morning of rollout day one. And a small number of retied medical professionals could have spent the summer and fall training younger people. > [@TroutMan](#): > > But the biggest problem is funding. Agreed. And compared to the economic cost of COVID, generous funding would have been cheap. And funding needs are not just for vaccinators. Once that shortage is solved, if it is, there then will be a vaccine or vial or syringe shortage. The summer and fall should also have been used to make sure all the manufacturing inputs were in place with extra capacity, and not just for the U.S., but for export, including give-away to impoverished nations. Unless the whole world is helped, it will soon bounce back to us. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/194 "2021-01-03T02:45:58Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Crunch the numbers, get people out in the field, and just do it. Agreed. It is legal for a vet, or a vet tech, or a retired nurse with an expired license, to give an intermuscular injection? Is there a federal law on this that should have been passed last summer? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/195 "2021-01-03T03:07:14Z")
I don’t think “people to give shots” is the hold up. I think it’s a combination of not enough vaccine to go around and poor distribution and communication. If you need to prioritize people, you can’t just set up a tent and spend all day jabbing people. You need to identify the people, arrange to have them all together, send over exactly the right amount of precious vaccine, and keep track of who got it. And I’m pretty sure those are the parts that aren’t going smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/196 "2021-01-03T04:50:05Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think it’s a combination of not enough vaccine to go around and poor distribution and communication. Extremely poor communication. My state still has no info available for anyone other than the 1a group. If New Hampshire has a plan for distribution to anyone beyond healthcare staff and nursing home residents it’s a secret. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/197 "2021-01-03T10:40:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > If you need to prioritize people, you can’t just set up a tent and spend all day jabbing people. You need to identify the people, arrange to have them all together, send over exactly the right amount of precious vaccine, and keep track of who got it. And I’m pretty sure those are the parts that aren’t going smoothly. That’s true. One reason Israel has been able to move so fast is that its entire health system is digitized, and has been for years. That makes organizing things much easier. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2021, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/198 "2021-01-03T12:06:53Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Some states are clueless and/or failed to plan. But the biggest problem is funding. The states mostly know what they should be doing, but have no money to do so because the federal government isn’t providing it. So they scrape by with what they can, or push it down to the county level, creating an even more fractured system. I don’t know all the details, but I’m dealing with scheduling at the county level here (Texas). Our county already had the web portal in place and ready, and I signed up a few days ago. It was very well organized, and explained their priority tier definitions based on CDC guidelines (I think) The website quizzed me on age/sex/ethnicity and led me through pull down menu choices for medical issues, then a selection of contact methods (phone, text, email, etc.). Once submitted, it sent a message to my phone for me to approve and confirm receipt. If I understood correctly, I will get another email once my “tier” has been assigned, and eventually a message to schedule my vaccination. One of my wife’s co-workers has already been through this, he and his husband are immuno-compromised and apparently moved to a higher priority. According to him, he received his tier assignment and was told what medical information to bring to vaccination (you must prove your higher priority, apparently). I assume they will use the text/email contacts to assign your vaccination date/time as well, but I’m not sure yet. It seems as though my county health department has been planning and is ready for this. Kudos to them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/199 "2021-01-13T01:53:42Z")
My Governor gives weekly updates and explained the process. Every week the Federal government tells each state what their allocation is. The state then decides where it should be staged. After that the state decides how it will be distributed. that’s where it gets interesting. It requires public notification of who can get it and where to go. We’ve already gone through the first group which is nursing home patients. That was pretty easy because it’s a captive audience. The vaccine travels to the home. The next group is going to be 85 and older and each week that follows will be an age group that is 5 years younger. But the distribution is reversed. The person being vaccinated now has to travel to a designated location. it involves public announcement of where, when, and how. It will also involve contingency planning in case they run out of people to vaccinate. The Pfizer version has to be used within 24 hrs of removal from cold storage. In a hospital that’s not a problem. Stab anybody that is willing. ---
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275/200 "2021-02-01T23:04:02Z")
Here is an overview of how the UK is doing. It shows where the vaccine comes from and how it is distributed. After the poor judgement and the stop/go decisions that have characterised test and trace and implemetation of various kinds of lockdown, the UK government seems to have gotten their act together with regards the procurement of vaccines and the rollout. They hedged their bets and placed orders early for several vaccines. They also agreed to facilitate large scale trials and an accelerated approval process. The health policies and funding are decided at a national level. The government opened its check book early and ordered millions of doses with several companies. They also decided to give one shot to as many people as possible, with the second coming in three months; which is a bit controversial. This is just as well, because the UK has been hit quite hard by the pandemic. 3 Million cases and 106,000 dead. The vaccination rollout is running at nearly 500,000 a day and about 9 Million done so far out of a population of 68Millon. It is going very quickly. At this rate I, not being a priority group, hope to get my shot sometime in March. > **[Covid vaccine: How many people are vaccinated in the UK?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55274833)** > > A look at progress made in vaccinating the country, as more than 52 million people have received at least one dose and 38 million have had a booster or third dose. This have not gone quite so well with the European Union whose vaccine procurement process has been ‘problematic’ and several states have broken ranks and are doing their own deals wherever they can. The national governments are all under huge political pressure to deliver and there is a lot of finger pointing and responsibility dodging. This pandemic is a great test of political leadership in a crisis. The numbers speak for themselves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-vaccine-distribution-work/926275.md?page=11)