Cutting Corners

It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

Whoever thought the roll-out of these COVID vaccines would be so mired in drama? Whoever thought the distribution of life-saving medicine would become mired in politics?

Answer? We all thought it would.

The latest concerning twist in the ongoing saga has been the push to raid the stash of second doses in order to get more first doses administered. Florida’s Governor took a White House lashing yesterday for holding back second doses. If you read between the lines, it seemed as if the President’s spokesperson was threatening that if the governor continues reserving second doses for second dose administration, the feds won’t send the state more vaccine.

How’s that for arm twisting?

When lofty goals, like vaccinating 100 million people in 100 days, are announced..second doses suddenly become a roadblock to victory. And while the CDC seems to be waffling on their previous position that vaccines should be given on time, “as directed” by the manufacturers, the FDA has not minced words:

We know that some of these discussions about changing the dosing schedule or dose are based on a belief that changing the dose or dosing schedule can help get more vaccine to the public faster. However, making such changes that are not supported by adequate scientific evidence may ultimately be counterproductive to public health.

So let’s just hope our leaders can stay the course and “follow the science” until such point that there’s enough data to warrant a change in how this vaccine is administered. I can only imagine that the pressure to vaccinate as many as possible as soon as possible is immense, but that is no reason to put the entire program (and people’s health) in jeopardy by cutting corners.