For more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

COVID-19 Vaccine 

Implementation

Amanda Cohn, MD

CAPT, USPHS

January 27, 2021
Summary of State Priority Populations/Phases

 Current reported phases of vaccine distribution: 

– Phase 1a: 11 states Phase 1b: 38 states Phase 1c: 2 states

 ACIP prioritization recommendations intended as a framework to support 

equitable and efficient administration of COVID-19 and jurisdictional flexibility

1. Not necessary to complete one phase to expand into the next group

2. When demand starts to decrease in persons aged ≥75 years, jurisdictions 

can consider lowering age group to ≥65 years 

3. Use all available doses and minimize waste

4. Continue to offer vaccine in persons in earlier phases

As of January 25, 2021

Available: https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/state-covid-19-vaccine-priority-populations/
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and 

Administration Data

 CDC is committed to transparency on vaccine administration data

– 2 MMWRs showing early administration data to be published 2/1

 Vaccine shipped to over 18K providers in large quantities, minimal orders of 

100 doses (Moderna) and 975 doses (Pfizer), resulting in high inventory 

when doses received 

 Social distancing reduces throughput and requires scheduling

 Doses administered/day increased after holidays, meaning an increased 

number of doses are being assigned for second dose
Overall COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Initiation

Available: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker

As of January 26, 2021
Total Doses Administered, by Date of Administration and 

Vaccine Manufacturer

As of January 26, 2021

Data Source: IIS, Federal Pharmacy Program, 

Federal Entities Program
All jurisdictions 

have initiated 

vaccination, and 

most have 

vaccinated more 

than 1001/100,000 

population
Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care 

(LTC) Vaccination Program
Increasing Supply Efficiency at Administration Sites 

Improve actions at the 

administration site to optimize 

use of supply 

• Ensuring sites can handle the 

supply they have, and better 

match demand to where 

supply is

1. Improve throughput at site (workflow, 

staffing)

2. Improve scheduling (management, align 

with throughput at the site)

3. Better match supply to throughput 

capabilities 

4. Improve vaccine supply and demand mismatch (direct people to vaccine, state level 

finder tools, move vaccine to where its 

needed)

5. Share best practices from states that are 

doing this well 
Conclusions

 An unprecedented roll-out of a new vaccination program has reached nearly 

20M persons over a short period of time during a surge in the epidemic

– Supply continues to be a rate-limiting factor

 As vaccination expands and vaccine uptake continues to increase (more supply, 

new candidates), we need to focus on rapidly administering doses and reducing 

bottlenecks in the system

 No person should be left behind, need to focus on equitable access, reducing 

barriers, and increasing engagement to build trust in communities

–

–

Essential workers, homebound adults, persons with disabilities

Racial and ethnic minority communities

 Vaccinating the country will take all of society working together and requires 

patience, preparedness, and community
For more information, contact CDC

1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)

TTY: 1-888-232-6348 www.cdc.gov

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the 

official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thank you