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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A coronavirus vaccine is getting closer to becoming a reality in the United States. The federal government is preparing to ship nearly 3 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in hopes of gaining emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said shipments could reach the state this weekend and New York City on Tuesday.
This is because there are concerns that, for now, people with severe allergies should avoid taking the vaccine, reported Lisa Rozner of CBS2.
If approved, organizations like Mount Sinai Health System plan to vaccinate about 15% of their staff in the first round.
Just one day after thousands of high-risk people and healthcare workers got the first official round of the Pfizer vaccine, health officials in the UK issued an urgent warning, saying that two healthcare workers who had allergies severe allergic reactions after receiving the vaccine. Shooting.
PLUS: UK cautions against giving Pfizer vaccine to people prone to severe allergic reactions
That prompted Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed in the US, to say, “Personally, I would take the precaution and avoid vaccinating people with severe allergies.”
Still, with FDA approval pending Thursday, the supply in the country will not meet demand.
Pfizer is one of two drug manufacturers seeking an emergency use authorization. Pfizer and Moderna say each will produce 100 million doses, which, at two doses per person, would only vaccinate about 30% of the 328 million American population.
In New York State, the first priority is to vaccinate residents, staff and workers of high-risk nursing home hospitals.
“So people like the nurses and the doctors, the respiratory therapist who is doing treatments, as well as people like the environmental service workers,” said Dr. Susan Mashni, vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Mount Sinai Health System.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Pfizer says it won’t be able to add additional doses until the summer because other countries have bought most of its supply, but the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is asking the drug company to donate 30,000 doses.
“We are transporting those who do not feel symptoms and are the ones who are going to infect us,” said the head of the federation, Fernando Mateo.
PLUS: COVID in New York: Many residents have yet to show confidence in the vaccination process
It is not clear when Phase II of vaccine distribution will take place in New York. It will target first responders, school staff and students, and essential workers facing the public like grocery store clerks and transit operators.
The two people in the UK who had the allergic reactions had EpiPens, used them and are fine.
At this time, experts advise pregnant women, children under the age of 16, and transplant patients to avoid the vaccine until more research is done.
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