Who Will Get Vaccinated? When Will The General Public Gain Access?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to take a stand on which Americans should get the COVID vaccine when there is not adequate supply.

If the Food and Drug Administration gives a green signal to the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use, the vaccines are expected to be shipped in the middle of December. The CDC committee recommends that 21 million health workers should be the first priority. Additionally, 3 million elderly citizens in long-term care facilities and nursing homes are also top on the list.

Moderna and Pfizer are highly likely to get approval, but a shortage will follow soon. By January, they cannot vaccinate more than 22.5 million Americans. Every state can decide which health workers should go first.

Critical care nurses, doctors, hospital employees (such as cleaning staff), and respiratory therapists are typically exposed to the virus. The older health workers are also in the front of the line. Also, employees who carry a high risk of contracting have made it to the list.

Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky has said that a majority of allocation would be dedicated to employees and residents of long-term care facilities.

One thing to note, people who get the vaccine also require a second shot. The waiting period for the second shot is four weeks for Moderna’s vaccine and 3 weeks for Pfizer’s.

Now, the question remains when the general public is going to get the vaccine. Federal officials indicate that healthy adults not associated with the healthcare industry or under 65, might gain access by June. Of course, the whole discussion depends on when Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines are approved.