US asking states to speed vaccine to over 65s

The Trump administration is asking states to speed delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to people older than 65 and others at high risk by no longer holding back the second dose of the two-dose shots, officials say.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says that “the administration in the states has been too narrowly focused.”

As a result, he says, the Trump administration is now asking states to vaccinate people aged 65 and over and those under 65 with underlying health conditions. He says the vaccine production is such that the second dose of the two-shot vaccine can be released without jeopardizing immunization for those who got the first shot.

“We now believe that our manufacturing is predictable enough that we can ensure second doses are available for people from ongoing production, Azar tells ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “So everything is now available to our states and our health care providers.”

The Trump administration also is pushing to expand the number of places where people can be vaccinated by adding community health centers and additional drug stores.

US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to give a speech Thursday outlining his plan to speed vaccines to more people in the first part of his administration. His transition team has vowed to release as many vaccine doses as possible, rather than continuing the Trump administration policy of holding back millions of doses to ensure there would be enough supply to allow those getting the first shot to get a second one.