Pennsylvania Health Secretary: We could have a COVID-19 vaccine by next month



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Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine Says COVID-19[female[feminine the vaccine could be available within the next month, although when a vaccine becomes available it will not be “an immediate cure or an end” to the pandemic.

“If the federal approval process stays on track – we have yet to see this – we could have a vaccine within the next month,” Levine said at a press conference Thursday afternoon, CBS Pittsburgh reports.

“However, we don’t know how quickly the vaccine supply will meet the demand. It is important to remember again that when the vaccine becomes available it will not be a cure – certainly not an immediate cure or an end. – to the coronavirus pandemic. “

Pfizer said on Wednesday that a final evaluation of trial data on the vaccine developed in collaboration with German company BioNTech showed it to be 95% effective and would seek emergency use authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration “in the days”.

Moderna said his vaccine was 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s ongoing study – which also enabled it to seek clearance in the coming weeks for emergency use. in the USA.

“We have heard some very promising news regarding the safety and efficacy trials for Pfizer and Moderna,” said Levine. “We anticipate – again, it is through the federal government – that the Pfizer vaccine will be released in December. We are planning the Moderna vaccine maybe late December or early January, and then there will be a gradual rollout of the vaccine. ”

Levine said that after Pfizer and Modern To complete phase three trials with their vaccines, the FDA must conduct a review to grant emergency use clearance before the CDC reviews and provides recommendations for the vaccine. Then the health department will work to distribute it from manufacturers to suppliers.

Levine said there are “significant logistical challenges” in distributing and administering vaccines to the public.

She anticipates at least two vaccines, pointing to Moderna and Pfizer, and says there are four more in the works. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses, she said, and the Pfizer vaccine should be stored at -80 degrees Celsius.

“Our plan takes all of this into consideration, and we are ready to distribute and administer the vaccines.

She also said, “We are going through a very difficult time. … It could take a long time to vaccinate everyone in Pennsylvania.”

“We have worked very closely with Operation Warp Speed ​​as well as the CDC and other federal and other state officials, but we need more funding,” she said.

The CDC and the federal government have authorized states $ 340 million, which it says is roughly $ 8 billion to $ 12 billion to develop the vaccine. She said $ 340 million to the state was not enough and she is calling for more funding.

Dozens of COVID-19 vaccines are currently in clinical trials. The most recent data from human trials shows that a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is safe and, most importantly, it works well in the most vulnerable patients, CBS News’s Charlie D’Agata reported Thursday.

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