FDA will approve Pfizer vaccine, HHS official promises
Solano County will get 3,900 doses of the vaccine after the state receives an initial shipment next week.
(Graphic by Solano News Update)
Federal regulators are expected to approve a vaccine developed by Pfizer to fight the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and the vaccine could be administered as early as Monday, a key U.S. official said on Friday.
In an interview broadcast by ABC News, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the Pfizer vaccine will receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration and that health officials are working out the details of allergy warnings for a fact sheet that will be distributed with the vaccine.
Once it is approved, state and local governments can begin administering the vaccine based on their own health strategies. Around 20 million Americans are expected to receive initial doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, Azar said. The government is targeting another 50 million Americans to receive the vaccine by the end of January.
California officials said they expect to receive the first shipment of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine next week. When they do, the vaccine will be allotted and distributed on a regional basis.
Solano County is listed in Region II of the state’s distribution plan, which includes 15 other predominantly Bay Area counties. Region II will receive a total of 80,000 doses of the vaccine, of which Solano County will receive 3,900 doses.
The first people to receive the vaccine will be first-priority individuals who work or live at acute care facilities, psychiatric facilities, dialysis clinics and assisted living facilities. Paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other medical first responders are also eligible for the vaccine.
(Click or tap here to learn more about who will receive the first vaccines in Solano County)
Of those individuals, healthcare personnel who are or will likely be treating COVID-19 patients will be at the front of the line, Solano County said in a public bulletin.
Pfizer’s vaccine requires two doses scheduled three weeks apart in order for the cocktail to be at least 90 percent effective against COVID-19.
“The first dose is there to train the immune system,” Mark Slifka, a medical expert and professor at the Oregon Health and Science University, told KGW-TV on Wednesday. “You really need that second dose to boost the immune system to its highest peak levels to give you more-durable immunity.”
Between the two doses, individuals will have to continue wearing face masks, social distancing and taking other precautions in order to avoid becoming infected with the virus. Health experts say it’s important to receive the second dose as instructed because the virus could become immune to the vaccine if too many people skip it.
We’re proud to produce independent news for Solano County. This newsletter is an all-volunteer effort. If you would like to show your appreciation, consider making a donation in any amount or converting your email subscription into a paid one. Discuss this newsletter and other stories from across Solano County on our Facebook group here and follow our new Twitter account here.