Why it's so hard to sign up for vaccinations online

What’s happening: During the Trump administration, the federal government focused on vaccine production, but left it to the states to figure out how to actually get shots in arms.

Local governments — dealing with significant budget and staff shortages — generally lack digital teams that can quickly stand up technology infrastructure.

Tech-savvy public interest groups have offered assistance, but the services they can provide — and the government’s willingness to accept them — has been limited.

Government IT procurement processes failed to anticipate the needs for vaccine distribution or effectively vet vendors, leaving a fractured system.