Distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. could begin as early as Dec. 11, the lead adviser for Operation Warp Speed said on Sunday.
“Our plan is to be able to ship vaccines to the immunization sites within 24 hours from the approval, so I would expect maybe on day two after approval, on the 11th or on the 12th of December,” Dr. Moncef Slaoui said during an interview on CNN.
Slaoui’s comments came after Pfizer submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization to approve its candidate vaccine. An application from Moderna for its vaccine candidate is expected soon.
Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government’s coronavirus vaccine program, has been ramping up preparations to distribute doses across the country. On Wednesday, officials said they expect about 40 million doses of vaccines could be available by the end of December.
Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccine candidates have so far emerged as the most promising ones in development, with preliminary data showing efficacy rates around 95%.
The companies have already manufactured and stockpiled doses in anticipation of the rollout.
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The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
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