Vaccine shots could begin in December
As the roll out of two coronavirus vaccines gets closer, Pennsylvania is planning a three-phase distribution that could begin with health care workers and first responders in December.
The vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna are anticipated to be available as early as next month.
“It is important to remember when the vaccines are available there may be a limited supply, which means not everyone will get the vaccine right away,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said during a virtual briefing Thursday.
The vaccines are nearing the competition of Phase 3 trials. After the trials, the companies will request emergency use authorization for the vaccines through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Once the FDA reviews the vaccines and grants the emergency use authorization, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will review the vaccines and provide recommendations for distribution and administration of the vaccines.
“We anticipate that the Pfizer vaccine will come out sometime in December (if the federal process remains on track),” Levine said. “We anticipate the Moderna vaccine perhaps in late December or early January.”
Levine said the vaccines will be distributed in three phases because their availability may be
limited in the early roll out. The availability is based on the number of doses the state receives and the type of vaccine.
Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at minus 80 and will be distributed to hospitals and health systems that are able to do mass vaccinations and have the proper refrigeration technology.
Moderna’s vaccine, however, is stored at regular refrigeration temperatures, making it possible for more hospitals, health systems and pharmacies to maintain it.
Vaccine availability is projected to increase quickly in the months following the initial roll out, leading to more people being able to receive it.
Levine said there are four more vaccines in the pipeline, two of which are undergoing trials.
Of the six vaccines expected to be available first, five require two doses, including Pfizer’s and Moderna’s.
Levine said distribution will start with health care personnel, first responders, critical workers and people with high-risk conditions, including those in congregate and long-term care settings.
Phase 2, when more doses of the vaccine are available, will include critical workers and people with high-risk conditions.
Phase 3, when vaccine supply increases and the demand slows, will include anyone of any age not previously vaccinated.
Levine said there are plans for mass vaccination clinics and the state will work with health care centers to ensure everyone has access to a vaccine.
When asked about side effects, Levine said they were minimal.
“I feel comfortable with the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines,” she said. “There are no serious side effects. Most of the side effects have been some soreness at the (vaccination) site, maybe some tiredness or headache. Evidence so far is that they are very well tolerated.”
The roll out is expected to start this winter and continue into summer.
“It is important to remember that when the vaccine becomes available it will not be a cure, certainly not an immediate cure or end to the coronavirus pandemic.” Levine said. “It is critical that all Pennsylvanians continue to follow the targeted mitigation orders set in place and that everyone do their part to stop the spread of this dangerous and contagious virus, COVID-19.”
Levine cautioned that it could take a significant amount of time to immunize everyone.
“We are in for a very challenging time which is why we’re talking about containment and mitigation and emphasizing how things are,” she said. “I anticipate that we’re going to be wearing masks in 2021, maybe until the end of 2021. We’re going to need to wash our hands. We’re going to need to socially distance.”
On Tuesday, Levine announced a tightening of mitigation efforts that included a requirement that a mask be worn indoors and outdoors whenever the person is away from home. A mask must be worn even if a person is inside and socially distanced when they are with people outside of their own household.
Although the plan is for everyone to receive a vaccine, she has pointed out that the vaccine will be voluntary.
The distribution plan is available on the department’s website.