AHA urges HHS action to expedite COVID-19 vaccinations

The AHA today urged the Department of Health and Human Services to take certain steps to speed COVID-19 vaccinations.

AHA urged HHS to establish a process to coordinate national efforts among all the states, jurisdictions and stakeholders; maintain effective communication and answer questions expeditiously; and identify and resolve barriers to rapid deployment of doses. 

“We share your goal of rapidly vaccinating as many individuals as needed to get to a level of herd immunity that will allow this country to return to normal activities,” AHA said in a letter to HHS Administrator Alex Azar. “In the first few weeks of administering vaccines, hospitals have seen a number of barriers to smooth and effective vaccinations. We raise these to your attention so that you and your team can begin to eliminate the barriers and expedite vaccination.”