[ad_1]
“That comprehensive immunization plans have not been developed federally and sent to states as models is as incomprehensible as it is inexcusable,” Romney, who represents Utah, said in a statement Friday.
Romney said the plan to rely on hospitals and pharmacies that are already overcrowded was “unrealistic.”
Romney’s statement comes as the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed promised 20 million doses would be administered by January 1. Yet data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week shows just over 12.4 million doses have been dispensed, and only 2.79 million were actually administered.
“The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is a tribute to the NIH, the FDA and professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. But unlike the development of vaccines, the vaccination process itself is lagging behind. It was unrealistic to assume that the Healthcare workers already overburdened with Covid care could undertake a massive vaccination program, ”said Romeny.
“So does the claim that CVS and Walgreens will save the day: They don’t have excess staff to immunize millions of Americans. They are also not equipped to deal with the rare but serious reactions that can occur. Physicians’ offices are fine… suitable, but the rate of treatment of patients in physician offices is, as you might expect, slow, ”Romney said.
He added, “When something doesn’t work you have to recognize the reality and make a plan, especially when hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake.”
Romney urged executives to “call people who have conducted large-scale immunization programs elsewhere or in the past” for advice and suggested using retired medical workers and others to set up vaccination sites in schools, as a possible solution.
He said that despite the fact that this stage of the plan targets the easiest to immunize, the program is “woefully behind schedule.”
“Urgent action can now help us catch up,” Romney said.
[ad_2]
Source link