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FILE – In this file photo from December 4, 2020, a general view of the Pfizer Manufacturing plant in Puurs, Belgium. (AP Photo / Olivier Matthys)
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UPDATE 4:15 PM PT – Saturday December 5, 2020
As federal authorities step up efforts to make a coronavirus vaccine available to the public, state health departments are beginning to prepare hospitals for the first shipments.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday. He said the first batch of the vaccine, produced by Pfizer, could be approved for use in the United States before Christmas.
“We actually think that once we get approval from the FDA, which we probably think in the week of December 14, we could ship within the first 24 hours,” the vice president said. “And we could vaccinate people within 24 hours of that date.”
He added that within 48 hours, vaccinations would likely be available in all 50 states and territories nationwide.
The FDA is expected to approve Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine on December 10. Recent trials suggest that the vaccine is over 90% effective.
Pending regulatory approval, the vaccines will be transported in giant containers filled with dry ice at a temperature of 35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
“What’s really important about these containers is that you have the ability to plug them in when they’re not actually in transit,” said Roger Samways, vice president of freight for American Airlines. “We have the capacity here to hook up 50 containers at a time.”
Pfizer is expected to have 6.4 million doses of the vaccine ready by mid-December.
In Michigan, Henry Ford Health System noted that it was fully prepared to roll out the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is approved for use, which will bring relief to healthcare workers across the country.
“At Henry Ford Health System, we are preparing for the vaccines and following the guidelines very closely,” said Dr Adnan Munkarah. “We have prepared from an operational standpoint to make sure we are able to store the vaccines.”
Dr Munkarah also added that Henry Ford Health System had installed freezers capable of freezing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Priority for vaccines will be given to frontline health workers and nursing homes.
Amid each of these developments, Vice President Pence is optimistic about moving forward.
“This time of year is always filled with hope through faith, traditions and in the hearts of the American people,” Pence said. “But being just a week and a half away from approval for the first coronavirus vaccine inspires the people of this country.”
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