Vaccines

The process of trying to get vaccinated can be confusing. A new platform from the federal government and private sector partners makes it easier to find a provider where you live.

The Food and Drug Administration released an analysis of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday morning that appears to support its authorization for emergency use.

That number is much higher than what APH has been able to administer per week so far. The staff is extending hours and days of operation at vaccination sites.

The Biden team wants to swiftly vaccinate people of color and others most vulnerable to COVID-19. But health centers are learning that speed and achieving racial equity don't always go hand in hand.

The storm delayed about 3,300 vaccine appointments that had been scheduled last week. APH says it’s working to reschedule those appointments and expand hours to catch up.

Local health officials have also had to cancel vaccination appointments because of the extreme weather.

The Food and Drug Administration is working on a playbook for how it could greenlight vaccine tweaks. Studies in hundreds of people, rather than tens of thousands, seem likely.

APH has started an “equity phone line” to reach people in these groups to help ensure they get vaccinated. Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard said APH is also working with local leaders and organizations to help improve efforts.

Black Americans are getting vaccinated at lower rates than whites. A new push to send vaccines to community health centers is intended to help quickly bridge that gap.

APH began receiving 12,000 doses a week to distribute to the public starting Jan. 11. Many people who got their first doses that week have expressed concern about getting the second dose on time, which is right around now.