Second COVID-19 Vaccine Coming Amid Hope And Anger

From InDepth NH:

By Nancy West | InDepthNH.org

Moderna’s announcement Monday that their COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 94.5 percent effective is raising hope in New Hampshire as the number of confirmed cases across the state continues to skyrocket.

It’s the second very promising vaccine to come forward after drug-maker Pfizer announced last week its vaccine candidate is 90 percent effective.

And while many are thrilled at the prospect of a vaccine by late December, others are angry that Gov. Chris Sununu continues to refuse issuing a statewide mask mandate and is now limiting contact tracing.

Rich DiPentima, a former acting state epidemiologist, said he is excited about the news of a second vaccine, but has run out of negative adjectives for how Sununu is handling the pandemic without a mandatory mask order and now limiting contact tracing.

“He has thrown up his hands and given into the virus completely,” DiPentima said of Sununu.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said, “Now we have two vaccines that are really quite effective.”

Appearing on NBC’s Today Show Monday, Fauci said he is projecting that by the end of December vaccines will be available for people in high-risk categories from both companies and likely more companies will come forward that are currently engaged in vaccine research. At first, the doses will be limited so states are prioritizing who will get them first.

In New Hampshire, the state Department of Health and Human Services said in a draft policy that the first phase to get the vaccine will include older adults living in residential care settings like nursing homes and assisted living facilities, first responders and high-risk workers in health-care facilities.

Other older adults in congregate settings such as those in senior living complexes will be included in Phase 1b.

“Decisions regarding allocation of vaccine for phases beyond 1a have not yet been firmly established, however, these decisions will be informed by the national guidance and the general approach outlined in the figure above, with some modifications for local circumstances,” the draft stated.

The current distribution plan in New Hampshire includes starting each phase of vaccination in geographic areas with the highest COVID-19 disease case count.

Fauci cautioned against sitting back and waiting for the vaccine. Instead people should double-down on their efforts to avoid becoming effective such as universally wearing masks, socially distancing, hand washing and avoiding social gatherings.

“The virus is not going to stop and call a time out,” Fauci said.

He said the spread is still very serious and acknowledged that people are suffering from “COVID-fatigue.”

“We don’t have to accept major surges,” Fauci said. “We can blunt them.”

In fact, on Friday, Vermont announced that it was closing bars, banning multi-household social gatherings and recreational sports.

On Friday, Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the reopening its first field hospital with 240 beds at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Over the weekend, Michigan and Washington state announced strict measures to try and curb the spread of the virus. Michigan ordered high schools and colleges to stop onsite teaching and prohibited indoor restaurant dining.

Washington state also prohibited indoor dining and ordered theatres, gyms and museums to close.

From Friday through Sunday, New Hampshire’s new cases reached 1,207 with four new deaths of elderly people.

Sununu’s spokesman Ben Vihstadt emailed a response to questions about actions other governors are taking, criticism about the lack of mask mandate and cutting down on contact tracing, and on Moderna’s announcement.

“The state reviews all mandates, restrictions, and updates to guidance protocols that nearby states enact, and the Governor constantly reviews the data to inform New Hampshire’s response,” Vihstadt said.

Regarding the vaccine, Sununu said, “It’s a great point of pride that the Moderna Vaccine is being manufactured right here in New Hampshire.”

Brendan Williams, who heads New Hampshire Healthcare Accociation, is on the record as supporting a statewide mask mandate. “Too often states that resist imposing them — North Dakota and Utah being the most recent examples — have seen a terrifying level of community transmission and suffering before reversing themselves,” Williams said.

“Inexorably it makes its way into long-term care, whether a great family-owned facility in Newport, a 5-star Catholic Charities building in Dover, or one of Coos County’s nursing homes in the remote northern part of our state,” Williams said of the virus.

Contact tracing and mandatory mask orders are the two most effective tools Sununu could order, DiPentima said.

DiPentima said after the election, he expected Sununu to at least issue a mandatory mask order, but was further upset by his actions to limit contact tracing.

“I am beside myself. He has thrown up his hands,” DiPentima said. “We need a mask order and to expand not shrink contact tracing.”

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.