Louisiana To Experience 'Significant' Delays In COVID Vaccine Shipment

The harsh winter weather making its way across the U.S. is also impacting the shipment of coronavirus vaccines around the country. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the state is reporting a "significant amount" of shipments have been delayed by the weather.

Louisiana Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter encourages residents who had scheduled a vaccination appointment to contact their clinic, hospital, or pharmacy to see if they should reschedule, WDSU reports. It is unclear how long the delays will last as millions across the country are still without power from the winter weather.

As of Wednesday (February 17), around 5% of the state's population is fully vaccinated, meaning they have received both doses required of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines. According to data analyst Jeff Asher, around 55% of Louisiana residents 70 and older have received their first dose while the percentage for those between 60 and 69 years old is around 18%.

Louisiana is seeing a decrease in COVID-19 around the state, Asher said, but that it is still too early to determine if this is due to the increased vaccinations.

"We really don't have enough data to be able to show that," he said, "but in Israel, where something like 90% of people who are over 60 have had at least one shot, you can see a clear deviation between those who are older and those who are younger, in terms of how cases are changing."

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