Biden Administration Increasing Coronavirus Vaccines Sent to States

The weekly increase of doses being sent to states represents a 57% increase from the amount states received when Biden was inaugurated.

The administration will be "increasing the vaccine supply to 13.5 million doses per week to states."The Biden administration will increase the weekly supply of coronavirus vaccines sent to states after the National Governors Association asked the president for more clarity in the federal vaccine distribution.

During a call with governors, the administration's COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said officials will be "increasing the vaccine supply to 13.5 million doses per week to states," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a briefing Tuesday.

The 13.5 million weekly doses represents a 57% increase from the amount states received when President Joe Biden was inaugurated.

Additionally, the administration is doubling the vaccine supply to its pharmacy program, with 2 million doses going to local pharmacies this week, expanding "access in neighborhoods across the country," Psaki added.

Eventually, as supply increases, more than 40,000 pharmacies nationwide will be distributing the vaccine.

The NGA sent a letter to Biden on Monday outlining concerns with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and seeking clarification regarding the allocation process from federal, state and local governments.

"We have two immediate issues of concern," the letter stated. "First, we believe it is essential that the American people understand the vaccine distribution process and the extent of the effort that governments on both the federal and state level are extending. ... Due to the anxiety created by the demand and supply of the vaccine, it is imperative that the American people fully understand the process."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 71.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been distributed in the U.S., with more than 55.2 million of those doses being administered. More than 39.6 million have received at least one dose and approximately 15 million people have received both of the necessary doses.