The United States is stepping up its game in the fight against COVID-19 as vaccine candidates from Moderna and Pfizer seek emergency use authorization. With hopes high, officials are preparing for a potential vaccine distribution starting in the coming weeks.
Experts anticipate the first batch of vaccines to be ready by mid to late December. However, health officials caution that the U.S. might still face a challenging winter ahead, with new infections on the rise across the country.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci has indicated that a COVID-19 vaccine won't be widely available to the general public until April or May 2021.
On Tuesday, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel is set to meet to determine the priority groups for the initial vaccine rollout. It's expected that healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes will be among the first to receive the vaccine.
Once the advisory group finalizes their recommendations, they will need approval from the CDC director and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If approved, these recommendations will become official CDC guidance.
In the meantime, individual states are tasked with submitting their initial vaccine distribution plans to the federal government by December 4th. This coordinated effort aims to ensure a smooth and efficient rollout as the country continues to navigate the pandemic.
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