British variant of COVID-19 detected in US as nation rushes to distribute vaccines

As the United States marks the deaths of more than 400,000 Americans of COVID-19[female[feminine, the British variant has been detected in at least 20 states. Health officials are trying to stay ahead of the virus by vaccinating as many people as possible – but it hasn’t been easy.

The British variant appears to be 50% more contagious than the other strains. Dr Michael Osterholm, a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory committee, told CBS News it is not yet clear how vaccines will work with the new mutations in the virus.

“At this point, we are concerned that the vaccines may be challenged, which means they may have reduced disease prevention capacity,” Osterholm said.

The presence of the new strains makes vaccination even more critical. And now, the country’s most populous city is having serious problems with its vaccine supply. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday: “At the rate we’re going, we’ll start to miss Thursday,” adding, “We will literally have nothing to give from Friday.”

the vaccine deployment in full swing in Michigan. In Lansing, Sparrow Health System opened two bays at a former Sears center that was previously used for oil changes to administer the vaccine. Cars are lined up as far as the eye can see.

But there is still a challenge in getting the vaccine to underserved rural communities. Twice a week, Dr. Richard Bates loads a cooler full of Pfizer vaccine for a two and a half hour drive to a small town clinic.

“It was important to us that every community felt connected and not being left out,” Bates told CBS News.