RI Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout: 63,152 Doses Administered

CRANSTON, RI — A total of 63,152 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered statewide, with 50,637 first doses given and 12,515 people fully vaccinated, state health officials said Thursday.

Rhode Island is receiving approximately 14,ooo vaccine doses per week, enough to inoculate about 1.5 percent of the state's population, according to Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and Dr. Philip Chan of the state Department of Health.

“We are administering the doses that we have in a way that will have the greatest impact on the health of our state," Alexander-Scott said during a news conference.

Roughly 2,500 doses were administered daily this week, an increase from the 2,200 administered the previous week, according to Chan. Approximately 17,000 Rhode Islanders were given their first or second dose of the vaccine this week.

"We are getting there," Chan said. "There are certainly more to come."

Although the number of people being vaccinated continues to increase weekly, the biggest challenge continues to be supply, according to Chan.

The state is currently vaccinating health care providers and older adults in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and will expand vaccinations to outpatient providers and residents over the age of 75 in the next few weeks.

The next phase of the state's vaccine rollout will be finalized and released by next week, officials said.

"We are asking everyone for their patience just a little bit longer," said Chan.