The winter blast that has crippled a large part of the U.S. is having a big impact on coronavirus vaccinations from coast to coast.

The storms are delaying deliveries of vaccines and causing some vaccination sites to shut down.

With many parts of the country still reeling from the impact of severe winter weather, the nation is also facing a major setback in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says the U.S. will have to work double time to make up for weather-related vaccination delays. Other health officials are echoing the sentiment.

"That's going to mean longer appointment hours, it's going to mean more shipping hours and we're going to ask everybody to do their part,” says Andy Slavitt, White House adviser for COVID-19 response. The push is critical in taking on variants that could fuel another surge.

"The continued spread of variants that are more transmissible could jeopardize the progress we have made in the last month," says Dr. Rochelle Walensky. Dr. Fauci says the vaccine is one of the two important tools at this stage. The other is adhering to public guidelines.

"The wearing of masks universally, physical distancing, avoiding congregant settings, washing of the hands,” says Fauci. The announcement comes amid new information on the danger of the virus. One study from Washington State showed pregnant women last spring appeared to be at a 70% higher risk for infection.

The CDC also revealed the virus was a significant factor in the U.S. life expectancy dropping a full year in the first half of 2020. It dropped even more for Black and Hispanic Americans.