The federal government has been holding in reserve vaccine doses to be used by those that received their first inoculation for their second shot. This is to insure against possible supply issues that would interfere with distribution of the second dose in a timely fashion. What do you think of the incoming administration's announcement that it will release that vaccine inventory to be used for initial inoculations?
Thank you for this question, Robert! I have rather mixed feelings about this. I think it is important for the vaccine doses to be given as intended, on schedule. We do not have any evidence that they can or should be delayed. I believe there is good reason to think a delay could compromise the vaccine's efficacy.
This new plan to release all doses immediately assumes that we will have new doses manufactured by the time the vaccinated patients come due for their booster shot. I do not think that we currently possess the manufacturing capacity to fulfill this, but perhaps we will ramp up to such capacity in enough time. Perhaps we are close to it already and I am simply unaware.
Still, I am concerned that some patients will be left behind on getting their second doses according to this strategy. Yes, more patients will be vaccinated, but this means we have more patients who will need a second dose, too. I am concerned that we are doing something that's a little like borrowing from Peter to pay Paul--we are borrowing second doses from the future, to use as second doses today, in hopes we will have as many doses to distribute in a few weeks again.
The federal government has been holding in reserve vaccine doses to be used by those that received their first inoculation for their second shot. This is to insure against possible supply issues that would interfere with distribution of the second dose in a timely fashion. What do you think of the incoming administration's announcement that it will release that vaccine inventory to be used for initial inoculations?
Thank you for this question, Robert! I have rather mixed feelings about this. I think it is important for the vaccine doses to be given as intended, on schedule. We do not have any evidence that they can or should be delayed. I believe there is good reason to think a delay could compromise the vaccine's efficacy.
This new plan to release all doses immediately assumes that we will have new doses manufactured by the time the vaccinated patients come due for their booster shot. I do not think that we currently possess the manufacturing capacity to fulfill this, but perhaps we will ramp up to such capacity in enough time. Perhaps we are close to it already and I am simply unaware.
Still, I am concerned that some patients will be left behind on getting their second doses according to this strategy. Yes, more patients will be vaccinated, but this means we have more patients who will need a second dose, too. I am concerned that we are doing something that's a little like borrowing from Peter to pay Paul--we are borrowing second doses from the future, to use as second doses today, in hopes we will have as many doses to distribute in a few weeks again.
It concerns me. I hope it works out for the best.