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WASHINGTON: US officials revealed details of their plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to millions of Americans on Tuesday (Dec. 1) starting this month, as the United States again broke records for new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations.
Since outgoing President Donald Trump’s coronavirus strategy relies heavily on a vaccine, the chief adviser to his administration’s Operation Warp Speed program said Tuesday that 20 million people could be vaccinated by the end of 2020. , and that by mid-2021 most Americans will have done so. access to highly effective vaccines.
“Within 24 hours, maybe a maximum of 36 to 48 hours, from approval, the vaccine can be in people’s arms,” Moncef Slaoui, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive, said at an event held by the Washington newspaper. Post.
The virus infected 4.36 million more people in November, more than double the number of new cases the previous month, as many Americans refused to wear masks and traveled to Christmas gatherings against the recommendations of experts in Health.
About 60 million to 70 million doses could be available per month starting in January, after the expected approval of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Slaoui said.
A panel of external advisers from the Food and Drug Administration will meet Dec. 10 to discuss whether to recommend that the FDA authorize the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna candidate is expected to be reviewed a week later.
The US Department of Transportation said Tuesday it made preparations to allow “immediate mass shipment” of COVID-19 vaccines and completed all necessary regulatory measures.
The first in line for vaccines could be some 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million residents in long-term care facilities, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A CDC advisory panel is due to vote Tuesday on recommendations for which Americans should get vaccinated first. The CDC will consider the recommendation and provide guidance to states to assist governors in their decisions about vaccine distribution priorities.
READ: Trump to meet next week with industry and government officials on COVID-19 vaccine
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo complained Tuesday about a lack of federal funding for vaccine distribution. He also criticized a data-sharing agreement introduced by the government that, he said, could “discourage undocumented immigrants from taking the vaccine.”
Cuomo expressed concern that data on who received the virus could end up in the hands of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
‘TRAGICALLY FAMILY PATTERN’
Meanwhile, top health officials are pleading with Americans to follow their recommendations to help stop a pandemic that killed more than 37,000 people in the United States in November alone.
A record nearly 96,000 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally.
Officials are concerned about the strain on healthcare systems and overworked providers and hospitalizations and deaths are expected to rise after millions traveled for Thanksgiving last week and with the holiday season looming. quickly.
COVID-19 deaths in the US are projected to nearly double in December to a pandemic high of more than 70,000 and rise to more than 76,000 in January before declining in February, according to a widely cited model from the Institute of Metrics. and University of Washington Health Assessment. .
The United States monthly record of 58,740 deaths from COVID-19 was set in April.
The pandemic and restrictions designed to stop it have devastated the American economy.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers unveiled a $ 908 billion COVID-19 relief bill Tuesday aimed at breaking a months-long stalemate between Democrats and Republicans on new emergency assistance for small businesses, the unemployed and industries.
READ: US scientists are developing a nasal spray to prevent COVID-19
Nursing homes in the U.S. are experiencing the worst outbreak of weekly coronavirus cases since spring, according to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA / NCAL), which represents more than 14,000 households. of the elderly and assisted living centers in the country.
New York City is experiencing a “sharp increase” in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, with hospitals reporting more than 1,100 COVID-19 patients, double the number less than three weeks ago and the most since early June. said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. a press conference on Tuesday.
Chokshi said he is issuing a “commissioner’s notice” urging New Yorkers at risk to stop non-essential activities and stay as long as possible as the city battles its second wave of coronavirus.
“Unfortunately, this escalation follows a tragically familiar pattern: cases grow, hospitalizations continue,” Chokshi said. “And sadly, too many result in serious illness or even death.”
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