President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed the states for dropping the ball on distributing COVID-19 vaccines as the much-heralded effort is falling far short of its own targets.
“The Federal Government has distributed the vaccines to the states. Now it is up to the states to administer. Get moving!” Trump tweeted at 7:43 a.m.
The presidential finger-pointing comes as officials scramble to explain why the U.S. is falling so far short of its own targets for vaccinating Americans.
The Trump administration had suggested that 20 million people would be vaccinated before the end of 2020. But official figures say just 2 million Americans have actually gotten their first doses with just hours to go before 2021 arrives.
Leaders of the vaccine distribution effort dubbed Operation Warp Speed planned a press conference later Wednesday to discuss the delay.
States say the effort has been plagued by poor communication and planning, along with a lack of funding.
Trump has long sought to avoid responsibility for the coronavirus pandemic that has already killed 350,000 Americans.
But the president has declared victory on the vaccine front, calling Operation Warp Speed a massive success.
Critics say the administration is effectively abdicating its responsibility to actually get the vaccine to the people.
The shortfall could have deadly consequences, as the U.S. is now facing its deadliest months of the virus since the COVID pandemic started.
