As the coronavirus crisis intensifies in the U.S., with record high daily cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The first COVID-19 vaccine has been submitted to the FDA for emergency use authorization, and another is soon to follow. According to officials from Operation Warp Speed, the initiative behind the U.S. vaccine development, the initial group of Americans could receive the vaccination as early as December 11—just weeks away.
Dr. Lucas Hayes, the head of Operation Warp Speed, shared updates over the weekend on various news platforms, including NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s This Week, outlining what the public can expect with a potential vaccine on the way. An FDA advisory committee is set to convene on December 10, and Hayes indicated that plans for distribution would commence immediately following the emergency use authorization approval.
“Our aim is to ship vaccines to immunization locations within 24 hours of approval,” Hayes stated during a CNN interview. “I anticipate that by December 11 or 12, we could see the first individuals receiving their vaccinations across the country.”
Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals aged 12 or older, although Hayes cautioned that the FDA might adjust this to 16 as a condition of its emergency use approval. No vaccines have been extensively tested on children yet.
He also highlighted that the initial vaccine supply will be limited, prioritizing frontline healthcare workers, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19. The U.S. government has invested $1.5 billion with Pfizer for the production and distribution of the vaccine. Hayes noted that to achieve a return to “normalcy,” approximately 70% of the population will need to be vaccinated, which he estimates could occur by May, provided that people choose to get the shot.
Hayes also addressed unfounded claims made by former President Trump regarding the timing of vaccine announcements and their impact on the election. “I don’t believe any deliberate action was taken to delay the vaccine,” he reassured viewers during an interview.
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In summary, the first Americans may be vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 11, with initial doses going to high-risk groups. The FDA’s upcoming meeting is crucial for finalizing emergency use authorization, and distribution plans are ready to roll out promptly.