Coronavirus vaccine could be available as soon as December 1th.

 

A healthcare worker. Reuters. 

The chief scientific advisor for Operation Warp Speed, America's vaccine effort, says that the vaccine could be available as soon as December 11th. Reuters. The FDA is scheduled to review Pfizer's vaccine on December 10th and if approved vaccination efforts could begin by the next day or two. Moderna's vaccine will reviewed later in the month. The states will receive doses based on their population and will be in charge of distributing them. It is expected that front line healthcare workers and the most vulnerable population will get the vaccine first. If the vaccines are widely used America could be back to normal by May. 

My Comment:

Just a quick update since I have already covered the vaccine quite a bit. But I figured that this is a major development and one that is welcome. If it turns out to be true then people will probably have access to the vaccine in just a couple of weeks. That will be a major victory in the fight against the virus. 

I don't think this means that everyone will get the vaccine right away. For one thing the Pfizer vaccine is the more difficult one to distribute due to it's extreme temperature requirements. The Moderna vaccine is the one that is a lot easier to distribute so I think the first wave of vaccinations will be somewhat limited. 

Another problem is that the states are going to be in charge of distribution. This won't be a problem in most states but I have zero faith in the blue states to actually administer this virus. States like New York and California have massively screwed up the response to the Coronavirus and there is also a corruption issue. It's going to majorly complicate things. 

Will people actually take the vaccine? I don't think they will have any problems with the first wave of health care workers and vulnerable people. But after that first wave I think there is going to be a lot of resistance. Some people are anti-vax in the first place but with a pair of new vaccines with a lot of known unknowns people taking the vaccine could be a major problem. 

I personally will take the vaccine, though it doesn't sound like I will have much of a choice. The rumor mill at work says it's not going to be optional if you want to keep your job. That kind of limits my options. Regardless, I am sick of this virus and am willing to take the risk just so we can try and get back to normal.