Oklahoma, New Mexico and West Virginia are not normally known for favorable health care delivery metrics, so I'm kind of surprised they seem to be ahead of the curve.
Wow! a whole new industry Tourist Smuggling. I can see it now get snuck in, have fun and vay kay, then get snuck out.
Tell me about it, I've gotten my vaccine and still get texts and emails from the NM-DOH that they have vaccine available for me. Maybe I should double for the fun and excitement! Honestly, I think the very large Native American population in NM, OK, the Dakotas and AK has possible shifted extra supply to the regions.
The logistics of getting it to them are mind boggling
Ah, yes, I forgot about the Indian Health Service.
I’m a hospital doctor, but if I was in Canada and one of the doctors not getting access I would be livid. There needs to be a balance, and people who have had to risk their lives for a year for the sake of their profession deserve priority. I was weary about letting 65 and over go before essential workers when announced but now, and considering mortality drops significantly in under 65 year olds I am ok with the US plan. I would be ed if a youngish (still in his 30s) doctor like me was denied a vaccine prior to a 45 year old advertising executive who’s been working from home all year.
They (IHS and in some cases tribal governments directly) are receiving doses in a manner similar to the federal pharmacy partnership. It’s been that way from day 1.
Good luck! Hopefully, of the alternative is a wasted dose, you can show a history of care in MyChart or an Rx or something. Fingers crossed for you!
| Area | Total Doses Distributed* | Total Doses Administered** |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 68,835 | 58,828 |
| Bemidji | 52,615 | 43,192 |
| Billings | 25,715 | 21,447 |
| California | 73,075 | 37,690 |
| Great Plains | 62,450 | 40,625 |
| Nashville | 36,095 | 24,490 |
| Navajo | 148,345 | 111,353 |
| Oklahoma City | 273,600 | 138,548 |
| Phoenix | 87,840 | 59,607 |
| Portland | 39,085 | 33,455 |
| Tucson^ | 5,200 | 3,800 |
| Grand Total | 872,855 | 573,035 |
I have been heartened by stories I have read of leaders taking charge to help promote getting the vaccine. Months ago hesitancy was higher than now. Though reality is Latinos and Blacks seem to be lower than before too. I see that as a positive all around.
If sites are starting or close to getting unfilled vaccine slots then it should be opened up to the next priority group. Better yet they should for a time first open up the reservations for the following weeks for a day or two for the groups that had already been approved before, then open it up for groups recently approved. Repeat that for some time
Noticing here less people in my county are having issues vs others. So what is sucking is the state has its rules but not all areas are struggling quite as much. Locally friends in the groups are getting appointments. People 60 miles away are still struggling. Hard to know when to move when it's done by state, not region.
That is why they should transition it to a priority in making an advanced reservation . Then if slots are open even at a specific store after the preferred period for reservation they will be filled by someone in a lower priority group.
I can speak specifically to Billings. We have an Urban Indian Outreach Clinic within city limits that receives doses through IHS. Their specific numbers get reported through IHS reporting, similar to VA or DOD. It's a subset, and counts in state percentages, as well. CDC reporting is to make sure those specific subsets aren't being underserved, or to ensure that more outreach is given if needed.
Congrats and hope you have no problems over the next day or two!