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Vaccine against the virus could be distributed within weeks
Vaccine distribution could begin in mid-December. Allie Rasmus reports.
SAN FRANCISCO – The director of the Center for Disease Control and other federal officials said the first coronavirus vaccines would be distributed within weeks.
CDC director Dr Robert Redfield said healthcare workers, people who work in nursing homes and people at high risk of dying from the virus will be the primary beneficiaries.
The federal government expects to have 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of the year – enough to immunize 20 million people.
“First of all, it’s amazing that we have these vaccines and it’s very exciting,” Redfield said. “It just reinforces why I want people to be vigilant because we are turning the corner now. You don’t want to be the last group to end up getting COVID-19 because the vaccine is going to start rolling out probably by the end of the second week of December. “
On December 10, the Food and Drug Administration will begin reviewing Pfizer’s request for “emergency use authorization” for its vaccine.
Moderna and Astra-Zeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines have also shown promising results, with more than 90% effectiveness. They will also apply for an emergency use authorization in a few weeks.
“The FDA has announced that it will consult its independent vaccine advisory committee before making a decision on whether to authorize the emergency use of a covid-19 vaccine,” Secretary of Health and Human Services said social Alex Azar. “They have now scheduled a meeting for December 10. If all goes well, we could distribute the vaccine soon after December 10.”
Azar said that as part of the federal government’s “Operation Warp Speed” program, they have entered into purchase agreements for up to 300 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Azar said there were private partnerships they had entered into with CVS Health to administer vaccines to nursing home staff and patients “within 48 hours of FDA clearance.”
The vaccines will be distributed to each of the 50 states, based on population.
In a statement, UCSF said it was one of seven hospitals in California “selected for early distribution” of Pfizer vaccine.
“UCSF has assembled an expert working group to work with public health officials and plan for early vaccine distribution at UCSF.”
The statement went on to explain that “primary care workers who treat patients with COVID-19 and high-risk groups will be prioritized.”
Vaccines intended for the general public through UCSF are expected to be available in spring 2021.
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