Louisiana is asking President Biden’s administration to establish one of its planned federal coronavirus vaccine sites at the New Orleans convention center, but state officials would like that site to come with extra doses of the shots rather than a reshuffling of current supply.
Negotiations continue with the Federal Emergency Management Agency with key questions unanswered about how such a site could be financed and whether that would help Louisiana get new doses of the vaccine, said Dr. Joe Kanter, the top public health adviser to Gov. Edwards. Kanter said the city is prepared to staff the vaccination site itself, working with LCMC Health, which operates six hospitals and urgent care centers in the region. But Kanter said the city would like some financial reimbursement. The Biden administration said it intends to open 100 federal vaccination sites by the end of the month in an effort to speed the immunizations.
