White House says vaccine supply is increasing

Announcements from the White House this week herald a pending increase in the volume of COVID-19 vaccine being made available for Americans. The Biden administration confirmed Tuesday that states collectively are to receive 13.5 million doses a week—about 2 million more than previously—partly because of a change in how Pfizer’s vaccine is being allocated. The manufacturers is receiving credit for six doses per vial instead of five, according to a White House spokesperson. Not only has the Biden administration leveraged the Defense Production Act to provide Pfizer with more materials to help boost output, officials say there are now plenty of the specialized syringes needed to pull the additional dose from the Pfizer vials. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that 2 million doses per week will be earmarked for a new pharmacy-based initiative. The 40,000-plus pharmacies already participating in the program initially received half that amount, with an expectation that supply would be tight.