Complexity

Vaccine distribution problems: complicated by use of algorithms

Mon, 2021-02-08 11:22 — mike kraft

Faced with the daunting task of parceling out a limited supply of coronavirus vaccines, Trump administration officials came up with a seemingly simple formula last year to streamline distribution of the shots.

First, federal administrators would run an automated algorithm to divide vaccine doses nationwide, based on the size of each state’s adult population. Then each state would decide how to dole out the shots to local hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.

But rather than streamline vaccine distribution, public health experts say, the algorithm has increased the burden for many states. It requires them to come up with multiple delivery plans for their weekly quotas of Pfizer and Moderna shots, even if the different shipments are destined for the same clinics and hospitals.

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Racing the virus: Why tweaking the vaccines and increasing production is not simple

Thu, 2021-01-28 10:47 — mike kraft

Racing the virus: Why tweaking the vaccines won't be simple After developing and rolling out COVID-19 vaccines at record speed, drugmakers are already facing variants of the rapidly-evolving coronavirus that may render them ineffective, a challenge that will require months of research and a massive financial investment, according... Julie Steenhuysen, Michael Erman U.S.

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Rural clinics face unique challenges in connecting perishable vaccines with residents who often live miles away.

Fri, 2021-01-22 11:07 — mike kraft

With Fewer Resources, Rural America Tackles Vaccine Distribution Rural clinics face unique challenges in connecting perishable vaccines with residents who often live miles away. Elizabeth Miller Route Fifty

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ANALYSIS: New COVID Vaccines Need Absurd Amounts of Material and Labor

Tue, 2021-01-05 13:38 — mike kraft

New COVID Vaccines Need Absurd Amounts of Material and Labor Companies are scrambling to obtain supplies for hundreds of millions of doses of a type of vaccine that has never been made at this scale before Charles Schmidt Scientific American

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Pfizer decision to turn off temperature sensors forced scramble to ensure Covid-19 vaccines kept ultra-cold

Fri, 2020-12-18 11:27 — mike kraft

Pfizer decision on vaccine temperature sensors forced scramble - STAT Hospitals and the U.S. government scrambled to figure out how they would monitor the temperature of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Olivia Goldhill STAT

A last-minute snafu this fall threatened to disrupt the smooth rollout of the first Covid-19 vaccine approved in the United States, according to industry officials.

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A guide to who can safely get the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

Tue, 2020-12-15 09:30 — mike kraft

A guide to who can safely get the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine Expect answers to evolve as the vaccines go into broader use. But here’s what is known so far, and what experts recommend. Helen Branswell STAT

WIth the first doses of Covid-19 vaccine being administered across the United States, questions abound about who can safely get them.

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The mind-boggling logistics of transporting one of the most important vaccines in history

Fri, 2020-12-11 09:02 — mike kraft

The mind-boggling logistics of transporting one of the most important vaccines in history Two coronavirus vaccines are in line to be authorized for emergency use in the United States, and a massive transportation network is standing at the ready once they receive government clearance. Gregory Wallace and Pete Muntean CNN

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Crimped U.S. dry ice supply complicates rural U.S. vaccine release

Wed, 2020-12-09 17:36 — mike kraft

Crimped U.S. dry ice supply complicates rural U.S. vaccine release As health officials from rural areas prepare to vaccinate people scattered over thousands of miles in what could be the most complex such campaign in U.S. history, they face the additional challenge of finding enough dry ice to keep a Pfizer vaccine that must be stored at... Stephanie Kelly, Lisa Baertlein, Carl O’Donnell U.S.

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Health experts clash over use of certain drugs for COVID-19

Fri, 2020-11-20 11:57 — mike kraft

Health experts clash over use of certain drugs for COVID-19 Health officials around the world are clashing over the use of certain drugs for COVID-19, leading to different treatment options for patients depending on where they live. On Friday, a... AP NEWS

Health officials around the world are clashing over the use of certain drugs for COVID-19, leading to different treatment options for patients depending on where they live.

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Why Poorer Countries Aren't Likely To Get The Pfizer Vaccine Any Time Soon

Fri, 2020-11-13 14:58 — mike kraft

This week, the world heard encouraging news about a vaccine for COVID-19.

On Monday, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and its partner BioNTech, said their experimental vaccine appears to work – and work quite well. A preliminary analysis suggests the vaccine is more than 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms.

Health officials hope to start vaccinating some Americans in a few months.

"The vaccine is on its way, folks," Dr. Anthony Fauci told a crowd Tuesday, via video link, outside Brooklyn Borough Hall.

But what about the rest of world, especially people in poorer counties. Is the vaccine "on its way for them?"

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