Completely different from the current Trump policy, President-elect Joe Biden plans on releasing all of the vaccines the U.S has on hand. Biden plans on having "federally run sites" and "mobile units" to reach the "lower-priority" groups, in efforts to speed up the immunization process. He believes that making sure everyone has at least 1 shot is the most beneficial for Americans, rather than only allowing one group to get both doses After Inauguration, Biden will have additional details on his plans on vaccine distribution, including promoting the safety of the vaccine to the general public.
Currently, Trump is holding back stock of the vaccine for the second round of administration for the high priority groups, including doctors and nurses. "According to CDC, there have been 22 million doses distributed, but just 6.7 million administered." On the contrary, Biden's vaccination plans will provide many more people with the vaccine but will put pressure on Pfizer and Moderna to make the second dose available within their respective interval of time.
In response to the time interval for the second vaccine administration, WHO adjusts its recommendation from 21- 28 days to up to 42 days (six weeks). This allows more time flexibility for Pfizer and Moderna to produce the second dosage.
Question: Do you think it's better to get at least 1 shot of the vaccine or would you rather wait until both dosages are readily available for the "lower-priority group"?
2 comments:
I would also like to point out that not only is rollout of the vaccine slow because they are withholding doses, but that shortage is also due to the fact that Trump has turned down Pfizer's offer to set aside vaccinations for the US. In a recent Pfizer statement: "We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse, but as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses". Pfizer has done their part in producing the vaccine, but federal incompetency has stopped many people from receiving the drug. I recently called Walgreens to see if vaccines have arrived for my grandparents, but I was only told that they would surely have it in two to four months. I think that many people are still skeptical of the new plan to distribute the vaccine. As for your question, I feel that our first step should be to better coordinate with the companies who are making the drug, and then rollout should go towards the phases that need it most, and if there are extras of the first dose, they should go to the next phase as to not waste any time with the distribution.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/12/white-house-delays-pfizer-vaccine-shipments
https://www.newsweek.com/pfizer-avoided-rd-funding-trumps-operation-warp-speed-because-bureaucracy-politics-1546110
In addition to what Tim pointed out, there have also been reports that Pfizer is focusing on producing vaccines worldwide not just nationally on the moment. Also, what he pointed about going to the next phase to not waste any time that is what is being done in southern california and new york. Newsom and Cuomo point out that it is better of vaccines to go to people in the next phase if they are unclaimed.
Recently, LA announced that they are turning the dodgers stadium into a massive vaccination site. I think sites similar to this will help ramp up the administeration of vaccines. Many people are skeptical about vaccine plans and (if possible) it would be a good idea to send out people numbers, or the approximate date they will receive the vaccine. Pfizer has done their part in getting out the vaccine, but now it is up to the people organizing the administration to make sure people are clear of the process and how vaccine rollout will take place. With so much information on the internet, people need a trust worthy plan or schedule to look at. However, I understand with all the uncertainty and work the people organizing vaccine rollout and healthcare workers are doing this may be adding on too much.
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