Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Plans for a vaccine

 President Donald Trump says there will be enough coronavirus vaccines for every American by April -- a claim that doesn't match any timeline given by the federal government's health agencies, private researchers or even the companies making the vaccines.


But Trump and one of his top advisers said they were confident that a vaccine would be approved, manufactured and ready for distribution to everyone by April.


"As soon as a vaccine is approved, the administration will deliver it to the American people immediately," Trump said at a White House news briefing. "Distribution will begin within 24 hours after notice."


The companies working to develop coronavirus vaccines have already started manufacturing doses, even while they are still testing the vaccines to see whether they’re safe and if they work. They will have to take any data showing this safety and efficacy to the US Food and Drug Administration, and request either emergency use authorization or full approval. The FDA will then decide whether to grant the go-ahead.

 

Distribution is likely to be complicated and time consuming as well, experts have told CNN. Many experts said it’s not worth talking about a timeline when there’s still so little we know -- including whether we even will have a vaccine that works.


Operation Warp Speed has said that the first doses, when they are available, will likely go to essential workers and those who are at a higher risk of severe infection from Covid-19.

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