With news of the vaccine distribution on almost every news outlet, it’s hard not to wonder what the next few months will look like. COVID-19 took the world by storm almost a year ago, and it has affected almost everyone on the planet. With many wondering, “what happens next?”, we have compiled the latest information on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
As of December 2020, it’s likely that the vaccine that is going to be submitted for emergency use authorization, EUA, will be a pair of mRNA vaccines. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show over 90% efficacy or success rate and are biologically the same. The main difference between the two is the temperature that they need to be stored at. Pfizer’s vaccine needs to be stored at a whopping -70C and Moderna’s vaccine only needs to be stored at -20C and can remain stable at refrigerator temperatures for up to one month.
The next question on everyone’s mind is who gets the vaccine first and when will everyone have access. Although it’s hard to predict the future, the CDC has recommended that frontline medical professionals and long-term care residents should be the first to receive the vaccine. It’s important to note that the CDC also recommends waiting 90 days after being infected before receiving the vaccine.
After those healthcare workers and long-term facility patients, the lines between who comes next get a little blurry. The CDC committee hinted that it would next recommend essential workers for the vaccine as they are the next in line when it comes to exposure and are unable to work from home. After that, priority groups with medical conditions and those over 65 would be eligible for vaccination.
Although it may seem that there are a lot of different groups ahead of the average adult when it comes to getting the new COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not quite as bad as you may think. As the vaccine is distributed, states may move from one priority group to another as soon as supplies allow them to. That being said, everyone who can receive the vaccine should be able to by late spring or early summer.
2020 was a challenging year for everyone. However, a new vaccine is on the horizon and the fight against COVID-19 is getting stronger. Although there are more questions than answers right now, you can find the most up-to-date info on the CDC website. We at NARA will also continue to keep you updated on the latest information surrounding COVID-19 and how you can keep yourself and your patients safe.
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