Vaccination sites in Washington state and across the US closing due to lack of vaccine supply

Vaccine clinics in the state of Washington, and across the United States, are receiving low supplies or no supply at all of the COVID-19 vaccine after anticipating a large quantity of doses. The shortage of the coronavirus vaccine seems to be affecting Washington state's rural areas the most, with a clinic in Camano Island getting hit especially hard by the shortage.

The Camano Island Fire Department closed a vaccination clinic this week after their expected supply of 1,200 vaccines never showed. They announced the closure of the clinic in a tweet.

Approximately 1,200 residents were expecting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this week and are now unable, due to the shortage.

The Washington State Hospital Association addressed concerns of the vaccine shortages during a Zoom call. "The federal supply is supposed to go up," said Cassie Sauer of the WSHA.

The association says the state told hospitals the doses intended for patients’ second shots instead had to be used as first doses for those waiting in line, according to Q13 Fox. "This week and next week we think there’s going to be a lack of first dose appointments available," said Sauer.

Camano Island is not the only area in Washington State impacted by the vaccine shortage. Ken Dietrich from Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Washington emphasized, "We’ve been vaccinating for a month and a half. This last week we’ve received no vaccine allocation."

"The supply is just not there to meet the demand," added Shane McGuire, CEO of Columbia County Health System in Dayton, Washington. "I think every hospital can tell you that across the state." Officials at the Washington State Hospital Association are anticipating an increase in supply from the federal government.

In New York City, vaccine clinics have also been impacted by shortages, prompting the clinics to only operate four times a week due to the low supply. Patrick Gallahue, a spokesman with the Health department, told The New York Post the decision to reopen the NYC COVID-19 vaccination sites only four days a week is because of the low supply. New York City officials are also relying on an increase in supply of the coronavirus vaccine from the federal government.

Vaccination sites in Los Angeles, including the one at Dodger Stadium, will be closing on Friday and Saturday due to the lack of doses.