As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in the U.S., with unprecedented numbers of daily cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The first vaccine candidate for COVID-19 has been submitted to the FDA for emergency use authorization, with another one nearing submission. Officials from the U.S. government’s vaccine initiative, Operation Warp Speed, have indicated that the first group of Americans could start receiving the vaccine as early as December 11—just a few weeks away.
Dr. Alex Johnson, a leading figure in Operation Warp Speed, provided updates during various news segments over the weekend, including NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s This Week. He shared insights on the expected timeline for vaccine distribution following potential FDA approval.
An advisory committee for the FDA is set to meet on December 10, and Dr. Johnson expressed optimism about the rollout. “Our objective is to dispatch vaccines to immunization sites within 24 hours of approval. I anticipate that by December 11 or 12, we could see the first vaccinations taking place across the nation,” he stated during an interview with CNN.
Currently, the minimum age for receiving the Pfizer vaccine is around 12 or 13, although Dr. Johnson warned that this might be raised to 16 as part of the emergency use authorization. It’s important to note that no vaccine has been extensively tested on children yet.
He also emphasized that there won’t be enough vaccine available for everyone initially. Frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and individuals with underlying health conditions will be prioritized for vaccinations. The U.S. government has a substantial contract with Pfizer, valued at $1.5 billion, to scale up vaccine production and distribution. Dr. Johnson remarked that achieving herd immunity—approximately 70% of the population vaccinated—is crucial for a return to normalcy and could potentially be reached by May, contingent on public willingness to get vaccinated.
Additionally, Dr. Johnson addressed claims made by former President Trump regarding a delay in announcing the vaccine’s success until after the election. He stated, “I don’t believe any deliberate action was taken to postpone the vaccine announcement.”
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In summary, the first Americans may soon receive the COVID-19 vaccine as early as December 11, pending FDA approval. Initially, vaccines will be limited, prioritizing healthcare workers and those at higher risk. Achieving herd immunity is essential for a return to everyday life, with over 70% of the population needing to be vaccinated.