HHS Unveils COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy

The Department of Health and Human Services today released its strategy for the public distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. HHS said that it developed the strategy in coordination with the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It provides a strategic distribution overview along with an interim playbook for state, tribal, territorial and local public health programs and their partners on how to plan and operationalize COVID-19 vaccination response within respective jurisdictions.

The strategy also identifies the following series of required tasks for the COVID-19 vaccine program:

• engage with state, tribal, territorial and local partners, other stakeholders, and the public to communicate public health information around the vaccine and promote vaccine confidence and uptake;
• distribute vaccines immediately upon the granting of Emergency Use Authorization/Biologics License Applications, using a transparently developed, phased allocation methodology and based on CDC’s vaccine recommendations;
• ensure vaccines’ safe administration and the availability of administration supplies; and
• monitor necessary data from the vaccination program through an information technology system capable of supporting and tracking distribution, administration and other necessary data.

HHS RESOURCES

HHS is providing the following resources with additional details of this plan:

• Strategy for Distributing a COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook

The AHA is reviewing the distribution strategy and soon will share with members an Advisory containing more information. In addition, AHA later this week will launch a new vaccine webpage and resources for members, including a COVID-19 vaccine primer and tracker to keep you updated on this issue.

FURTHER QUESTIONS
If you have questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.