Panel to vote on prioritizing vaccine shots

A board of U. S. advisers will meet Tuesday to vote on how scarce, initial supplies of a COVID19 vaccine will be given out once one has been approved.

Experts have proposed giving the vaccine to health workers first. High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older.

Tuesday’s meeting is for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The panel of experts recommends whom to vaccinate and when — advice that the government almost always follows.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow emergency use of its COVID19 vaccine candidate. Moderna Inc. is also expected to seek emergency authorization of its vaccine soon.

The FDA’s scientific advisers will holding a public meeting Dec. 10 to review Pfizer’s request, and then send a recommendation to the FDA.

Manufacturers have begun stockpiling coronavirus vaccine doses in anticipation of eventual approval, but the first shots will be in short supply and rationed.

Bruna Prado / Associated Press Volunteers spray disinfectant in an alley to help contain the spread of the coronavirus in Rio de Janeiro. The group said Saturday was the final day of its service as funding for materials had run out.