We have written in this space that the issue of vaccinating Rhode Islanders – much the same as it appears to be everywhere else in the country – has been less about logistics and more about supply and demand.

The demand has been consistent, and supply seems to finally be catching up. The recent news that the Biden administration has successfully ordered 200 million additional doses of vaccine has many health experts more openly optimistic about the possibility of 300 million Americans being vaccinated by late summer or early fall.

Of course, that now means that leaders from the national level down to state governors and individual city and town administrators must tackle the ever-lingering issue of logistics – and figure out how to organize and execute massive vaccination campaigns involving the coordination of many thousands of people within their communities.

In leading the charge for Rhode Island, soon-to-be Gov. Dan McKee will face his first of many tests during an abbreviated first term in office that is starting squarely in the deep end. Earlier this week, he met virtually with state health experts and municipal leaders to discuss how best to carry out the inoculation campaign locally.

The state has established regional vaccination “pods” – five in total to service Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns – which has caused some municipal leaders to pause and question whether this is the best, most practical approach. We share their trepidation and concern and believe there may be a solid middle ground to be found in this endeavor. The pods were successful in delivering the vaccine to first responders and health care workers.

Regional centers are of great benefit to smaller communities that lack the human capital to carry out a comprehensive vaccination campaign on their own. However, larger communities – like Cranston and Warwick – may be better served taking on at least a fair share of the responsibility themselves.

For example, it may not be problematic for an otherwise healthy young adult to travel from Warwick to East Greenwich to visit a vaccination site. However, things may become much trickier if an independent senior citizen without a driver’s license must make the same journey to receive their vaccine. Adults over 55 years of age make up essentially one third of the state – and 25 percent of the state will be 65 years or older by 2030, according to the U.S. Census.

President Biden has described the fight against COVID-19 as a sort of “wartime undertaking” in which an all-hands-on deck approach is needed to win. We think this mentality could be put to good use with regard to our state’s vaccination campaign. There are existing resources in place to administer vaccines throughout larger cities like Warwick and Cranston. Places like fire and police stations, senior centers, health clinics and pharmacies could all be utilized to provide safe and convenient access to vaccinations, without the need for those most at risk to travel far to receive it.

It is incredibly important to utilize all resources available to ensure a smooth vaccination process and give access to as many people as easily as possible. It seems that a combination of state-operated, regional vaccination centers and more localized, locally-operated vaccination sites throughout the state – with a strong public-private partnership between our large-chain pharmacies – would be a winning strategy to ensure this vital battle in our war against COVID is victorious.