White House planning to give governors longer range estimates for vaccine shipments

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Thu, 2021-02-25 18:30 — mike kraft

White House planning to forecast vaccine shipments months in advance The longer planning window could address concerns from governors who complained that limited shipment forecasts affect their planning abilities. Rachel Roubein POLITICO

The Biden administration is planning to provide states with estimates of their expected vaccine shipments likely months ahead of time rather than weeks, according to multiple sources with knowledge.

The longer planning window, which is expected to start as soon as next week, could address concerns from governors who had complained that limited shipment forecasts affect their ability to plan vaccination clinics and figure out where to steer doses. And it represents the growing confidence among vaccine makers and the Biden administration in the production of shots, with substantial boosts in supply expected over the coming weeks.

White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients in a private call with governors on Tuesday said the administration is aiming to provide states with multiple months of estimates for vaccine shipments, according to notes of the call obtained by POLITICO. Two other sources confirmed a longer window into vaccine shipments is expected next week.

Zients cautioned the expanded timeline means there’s likely to be more variation between forecasted shipments further out and what states actually receive. However, he said the White House understood that states have sought additional visibility on expected shipments to help with planning.

The White House declined to comment. ...

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