Mass vaccinations against COVID-19 will be ‘mind-blowing’ challenge for Alabama, other poor, rural states

The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed initiative seeks to distribute COVID-19 vaccines across the county simultaneously, but it could face several hurdles. For instance, the administration of vaccinations will largely be carried out by poorly staffed and overburdened clinics, pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. John McGuinness, a member of a committee advising Alabama on vaccine distribution and a former state surgeon for the Alabama National Guard, says: “This amounts to a military campaign, moving from town to town and gathering demographics, relying on local leaders and being comprehensive in that way.” Alabama’s Black community continues to be largely distrustful of the medical establishment, and disinformation about the virus is causing hesitance as well. Meanwhile, information technology obstacles are slowing the state’s efforts to enroll medical providers able to accept and store the vaccine, says Scott Harris, Alabama’s top health officer, who is overseeing the state’s immunization effort. The federal government requested each state to identify five locations where vaccines will be handled, pending final go-ahead from authorities. The primary locations put forward by Alabama officials are among a larger set of 68 facilities equipped to store ultracold vaccines, according to Jamey Durham, the health department’s logistics lead for vaccine implementation. Minority groups are among the “critical populations” the CDC is directing states to consider in the planned distribution of vaccines later this year or in early 2021. Focus groups across Alabama are expected to launch in December to examine concerns about the vaccine.