Coronavirus Vaccine In RI: 12,869 Doses Administered

CRANSTON, RI — Rhode Island Health Department Director Dr. Alexander-Scott and health department officials on Tuesday said the state is nearly reaching its coronavirus vaccine distribution goals.

Just 15 days after the first dose of the vaccine in Rhode Island was administered, the state has received 30,700 vaccine doses, with more on the way. A total of 12,869 doses have been administered in the state as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.

"I am very pleased with where we stand with our vaccination campaign," Alexander-Scott said.

Rhode Island is receiving approximately 14,000 vaccine doses each week, which is enough to vaccinate 1.5 percent of the population, officials said. Because the state cannot vaccinate everyone at once and cannot predict exactly how many doses it will receive each week, health officials said the department and its partners have been working quickly to ensure efficient distribution focused on equity.

"A lot of people deserve a huge kudos and it is important to continue to acknowledge that while we stay focused on the job at hand," said Dr. Alexander-Scott.

Health officials said Rhode Island will likely remain in phase 1 of vaccine distribution through January and February. That phase includes about 150,000 front-line health care workers, the elderly, first responders and those in high-risk communities.

The state is finalizing its phase 2 plan to vaccinate high-risk individuals who are not in care facilities or working high-risk jobs.

On Monday, Rhode Island began vaccinating those in nursing homes and assisted care facilities, as well as other individuals at the highest risk of contracting the virus. Health officials said 1,185 people were vaccinated by region and 763 people were vaccinated in nursing homes.