DELAWARE- We have already seen changes to the vaccine rollout and there will probably be more.
But now, Delaware's Division of Public Health is looking to efficiently finish phase 1A with phase 1B coming next.
Over 18,700 doses have been given in the state so far. There has been a dramatic increase in vaccines given week by week, and there was a challenge in getting it started according to Doctor Richard Hong.
"This vaccine was rolled out around the holidays and we have come to find out that many people did not want to get the vaccine around the holidays due to concerns of mild side effects," Dr. Hong said. "Also, with vacations and staffing shortages, it was more difficult to be able to roll out this vaccine in a quick manner."
The creation of hubs should make the process go faster. Each hub will be responsible for ordering, scheduling, staffing and reporting data. All things DPH needs for an efficient process according to Assistant Medical Director Dr. Richard Pescatore
"Fast vaccine delivery is our priority," Dr. Pescatore said. "It is our belief that by leveraging each one of those options, we will be able to get more shots in more arms as quickly as possible."
While many people in Phase 1A are still looking for their first dose of the vaccine, Director of Immunizations & Vaccines for Children James Talbott says second doses are on their way.
"We are starting to see second dose allocations starting to come in," Talbott said. "We will have some second dose deliveries next week. Those providers will be connected via email later this afternoon."
DPH says every state is dealing with a rollout slowdown but they ask Delawareans to trust their process as they go through a learning curve.