U.S. readies for imminent vaccine rollout
Hospitals are doing urgent training, their freezer units sit empty and ready, and UPS trucks are sending out specialized equipment.
An enormous nationwide operation is poised and ready, now that a critical COVID-19 vaccine is one step closer to being deployed.
A panel of outside advisors to the FDA, on Thursday, recommended the agency authorize the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use.
The FDA's decision on whether to pull the trigger is expected within days.
In anticipation - healthcare professionals across the country are practicing how to handle, mix and administer the vials.
At UPMC Presbyterian Hospital In Pittsburg on Thursday - packages of supplies arrived at the pharmacy in preparation for a vaccination clinic.
A turning point in this crisis can't come soon enough. The disease has so far killed over 289,000 Americans, and has overwhelmed hospitals nationwide.
The country's daily deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 3,000 for the first time, a higher toll than in the September 11th attacks.
Doctors - like Warren Gavin at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital - are desperate for the cavalry to arrive.
"Personally, I cannot roll up my sleeves fast enough to get this vaccination. And I guess I would urge the community, when it's that time, to do the same."
Of course, getting the vaccines to where they need to be is paramount.
UPS and FedEx plan to ship millions of doses - before holiday gifts - with VIP handling… including GPS trackers on packages that will also provide temperature, light exposure and motion data.
Health officials say the priority is for high-risk individuals and healthcare workers to receive the dosages first.
But until there is herd immunity, which could be many months away at the earliest, health officials are urging Americans to stay vigilant in their efforts to control the spread of COVID-19… and to still wear masks - even after getting the vaccine.
