WASHINGTON — According to published reports, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the Biden administration will be increasing weekly shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses to states, sending out 13.5 million this week, and doubling the amount going to retail pharmacies.

As of last week, the administration was shipping out 11 million doses to states every week. Overall, she noted, the administration has increased the number of weekly shipments to states by 57% since President Joe Biden was inaugurated last month.

Psaki also reported that the White House is doubling the number of doses being shipped directly to retail pharmacies around the country, expanding it from 1 million doses sent to 6,500 pharmacies last week. Psaki said the White House will ship 2 million doses per week to stores going forward and plans to eventually expand to 40,000 stores nationwide.

“This program will expand access in neighborhoods across the country so that people can call and make an appointment and get their shot conveniently and quickly,” she said. “This is a critical, critical part of our plan.”

The administration has been announcing gradual increases in the amount of vaccine being distributed every week while opening up new distribution channels such as pharmacies, community health centers and federally run vaccination centers. After a slower-than-expected initial rollout of the vaccine, many states now say the lack of supply from the federal government is the biggest constraint.