Image: Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing COVID-19 vaccination distribution and administration as of January 24, 2022.
According to the data, the IHS has distributed 2,667,930 COVID-19 vaccine doses across 11 areas of Indian Country. Of that amount, 2,095,246 have been administered, representing 78.5 percent of the total.
The number of vaccines distributed by the IHS increased did not increase at all, according to a comparison of data from January 17. The number of vaccines administered grew by less than 1 percent when compared to the week prior.
The lack of growth appears to be attributed to a quirk in the data reported by the IHS on January 18. According to the agency, the prior report included “doses that were to be delivered by January 18 to 21, 2022.”
The Oklahoma City Area, where COVID-19 cases increased considerably following the availability of the vaccine in the spring of 2020, continues to account for the most vaccines received (640,865) and administered (500,737). The Navajo Area, where the pandemic has exacted a disproportionate toll since the spring of 2020, comes in second (389,880 distributed, 361,418 administered) while the California Area comes in third (319,930 distributed, 210,078 administered).
In all three areas, the number of doses administered, but the number of doses distributed, increased from the week prior. The three regions account for the largest number of IHS users, with the Phoenix Area also accounting for a large number (287,605 distributed, 239,033 administered). The Phoenix Area has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 as well.
Booster shots are now recommended for individuals 12 and older. The required time between the completion of a primary Pfizer vaccination and getting a booster dose has also been shortened from a minimum of 6 months to 5 months. Read more from @US_FDA: https://t.co/FdCXRKsK4S pic.twitter.com/zyoajbVOJp
— IndianHealthService (@IHSgov) January 6, 2022
According to the IHS, vaccination distribution and administration will be updated weekly across the 11 areas that are receiving doses directly from the agency.
Tribal health facilities in Alaska have chosen to receive their COVID-19 vaccine supplies from the state, so their region is not included in the data.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration by IHS Area
As of January 24, 2022, the IHS is distributing all three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the U.S, including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. The table below shows the total number of vaccine doses distributed and administered to date, per IHS Area, for facilities that chose to receive vaccine through the IHS jurisdiction. The data includes COVID-19 vaccinations administered to all ages and specialty groups authorized for emergency use or fully licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The IHS administration rate is 79 percent. The IHS jurisdiction is administering all available full doses in accordance with FDA guidance.
| Area | Total Doses Distributed* | Total Doses Administered** |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 182,390 | 177,030 |
| Bemidji | 217,320 | 167,509 |
| Billings | 116,430 | 73,720 |
| California | 319,930 | 210,078 |
| Great Plains | 209,530 | 146,498 |
| Nashville | 143,040 | 103,079 |
| Navajo | 389,880 | 361,418 |
| Oklahoma City | 640,865 | 500,737 |
| Phoenix | 287,605 | 239,033 |
| Portland | 145,250 | 104,518 |
| Tucson | 15,690 | 11,626 |
| Grand Total | 2,667,930 | 2,095,246 |
*Distributed Data Source: IHS National Supply Service Center, includes total doses ordered and delivered by January 21, 2022, to facilities that chose the IHS jurisdiction for vaccine distribution. Distribution data reported the last reporting date, January 18, 2022, included doses that were to be delivered by January 18 to 21, 2022.
**Administered Data Source: Data is reported from the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) and IHS Central Aggregator Service (CAS). Data may be different than data on the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker due to lags and ongoing quality review of data, including resolving data errors.
Note:The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration by IHS Area data is only reflective of facilities that chose the IHS jurisdiction for vaccine distribution. Alaska Area data is not reported as all tribes chose to receive COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Alaska. The Tucson Area data only includes one tribe that chose the IHS jurisdiction for vaccine distribution.
Source: Indian Health Service (https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus)