Brown virus expert ‘frustrated’ by slow vaccine rollout

RHODE ISLAND could have a small batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc. on Dec. 11 after the company receives emergency authorization by the FDA, said Dr. Ashish K. Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health. / COURTESY R.I. CAPITOL TV
DR. ASHISH K. JHA, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, says he's frustrated by the slow rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in states. / COURTESY R.I. CAPITOL TV

PROVIDENCE (AP) – Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the world-renowned expert on the coronavirus pandemic, said he is frustrated by the slow rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, but sees better days ahead.

Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, in a series of Twitter posts Monday blamed the federal government for neglecting to work with states on the final steps of getting vaccines to the people.

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“Personally, I’m incredibly frustrated. Did we not know that vaccines were coming? Is vaccine administration a surprise?” he said.

The amount of vaccine doses shipped to states has been lower than initially expected.

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“There appears to be no investment or plan in the last mile,” Jha wrote. “No effort from Feds to help states launch a real vaccination infrastructure. Did the Feds not know vaccines were coming? Shouldn’t planning around vaccination sites, etc. not have happened in October or November?”

A coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law Dec. 27 by President Donald Trump that includes $69 billion for vaccine distribution gave him hope.

“After a slow ramp up, it’ll get better,” he said.

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