[ad_1]
HARRISBURG (KDKA) – Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr Rachel Levine said a coronavirus vaccine could be available within the next month, although it is not “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,” Dr. Levine said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
“However, we don’t know how quickly vaccine supply will meet demand. It’s important to remember that when the vaccine becomes available, it will not be a cure – certainly not an immediate cure or an end – for the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Levine says that after Pfizer and Moderna complete phase three trials with their vaccines, the FDA must complete a review to grant emergency use authorization.
“The politicization of this process has raised concerns in the past. I am very convinced that there was no politicization of this process, that science drove the process, ”said Dr. Levine.
She says there are “significant logistical challenges” in distributing and administering vaccines to the public.
She anticipates at least two vaccines, pointing to Moderna and Pfizer, then says there are four more in the works. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses, she said, and the Pfizer vaccine should be stored at -80 degrees Celsius.
“The Moderna vaccine, we will be able to have an even more widespread distribution, because it can just be stored in the refrigerator,” Levine said.
She says the state’s immunization plan, which you can read here, attempts to tackle these logistical hurdles.
“Our plan takes all of this into consideration and we are ready to distribute and administer the vaccines. We have worked 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.
Dr Levine says there will be three phases of distribution and administration. The first to get it will be the “critical population” – people such as healthcare workers, people aged 65 and over, and residents of collective care facilities.
Once there are a large number of doses available, critical populations not yet vaccinated and the general population will be vaccinated. Once there are enough doses, the entire population will be vaccinated.
“We are going through a very difficult time which is why we are talking about containment and mitigation and highlighting how things are going. We expect, again, that we will be rolling it out throughout the winter and then into the spring and summer. Immunizing everyone in Pennsylvania could take a long time. I predict that we will be wearing masks in 2021, well into – maybe until the end of – 2021, ”she said.
She adds, “We are going to have to meet this challenge, and the Governor and I are confident that the Pennsylvanians are strong and resilient, that they will meet this challenge and succeed.
[ad_2]
Source link