Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy

By Blair Childs, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Premier commends the Trump Administration for clarifying details about the COVID-19 vaccination program, confirming that providers will not be required to pay to carry vaccines, and that there will be no out-of-pocket costs for vaccine recipients.

However, more detail is needed before we get to the November 1 date that the CDC told states to anticipate. For instance, providers need to know more about how allocations will be decided for each jurisdiction; what, where and how administration sites will be selected; and the requirements for using the vaccine track and trace system being constructed.

Clear, specific and consistent guidance is needed to minimize vaccine distribution and administration problems that could easily occur. A single standard would be most helpful, particularly for health systems located across broad, multi-state regions.

This vaccination program is unlike any other– the scale, multi-dose administration and ultra-cold storage requirements make it a particular challenge. Given these unique concerns, we hope that additional guidance will be coming so that providers can plan and prepare to do their part in the mass vaccination effort.