Blue Shield of California will use an algorithm with a "focus on equity" to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in California under a contract that outlines how the insurer will oversee the state's distribution process, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The contract, made public Feb. 15, outlines Blue Shield's distribution goal: 3 million vaccinations a week by March 1. By the end of April, Blue Shield said that goal will be up to 4 million a week. However, supply will ultimately determine the number of doses distributed. California received a little over 1 million vaccines from the federal government the week of Feb. 8, and has been averaging about 1 million vaccinations a week, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Blue Shield said its distribution algorithm will be "updated as needed" to address changes like vaccine availability, COVID-19 incidence and feedback.
Separately, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is expected to sign a contract with California to run its own vaccine program for members, in addition to overseeing mass vaccination sites, according to The Los Angeles Times.
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