Feb. 28, 2021
As the COVID-19 vaccine distribution ramps up (and a third vaccine is approved), there is progress being made — and also glitches in the supply chain delivery that are leaving states, municipalities, and, ultimately, residents, without the necessary vaccines. Here’s a look at how the supply chain is faring and what some commercial real estate experts have to say about the how to improve distribution.
According to the “Shots in Arms” update from the NPR COVID Vaccine Tracker, the top state by percentage of population receiving at least one dose is Alaska, with 22.3%, up from the 15.1% shown in the graphic above. New Mexico (21%) and South Dakota (20.2%) are the second and third states, respectively. This compares with late January when Alaska was still at the top, but West Virginia and Connecticut were second and third.
At the end of February, there were 96.4 million vaccines distributed, with 75.2 million doses administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This totals 14.6% of the U.S. population vaccinated with at least one dose. (The two first vaccines approved each require two shots over several weeks.)
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Solving Supply Chain Challenges
As the federal government moves to increase vaccine distribution, logistics and commercial real estate experts talked with Bisnow about the importance of involving businesses such as Amazon, Target and FedEx that have mastered supply chain issues and last-mile delivery. Given their expertise in moving products quickly to multiple destination points, could they have an impact on vaccine delivery?
Amazon Distribution is Not the Only Solution
Supply chain and analytics experts caution against thinking we can just plug in Amazon and create a more efficient system, however. According to this Modern Distribution Management story by Jonathan Byrnes of MIT and John Wass, formerly of Staples, the problem revolves around trying to push through a massive distribution effort within our existing fragmented system. Changes to the current distribution flow should include integrating more supply chain professionals into the public health process and using overlapping management, likely through the Defense Production Act, to improve end-to-end organization and results.
Among the solutions they present are more extensive advance planning to match patients, vaccines and locations and rewards, such as free transportation or cash, for vaccine compliance and perhaps negative rewards (limited access to restaurants, schools, and transportation) for those who refuse.
They also suggest adding a robust public relations campaign that reaches the population at multiple demographic touch points. Millennials would be more responsive than older Baby Boomers to social media outreach, for example. Success stories from early adopters would be amplified to reach residents in varying communities.
COVID-19 Cases: Still too High
In a late February CBS News COVID-19 vaccine update, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warns against being too complacent about the virus. While cases are stabilizing or slowing in many locations, a plateau of around 70,000 new cases per day is still a concern. “That’s exactly the thing that happened during previous surges,” he said. “As it peaked and started to come down, people withdrew some of the intensity of the public health measures and it kind of stabilized at a very high level. That’s very dangerous.”
