[Subject: Coronavirus Vaccines Begin Rollout Across the United States]
The United States has started the rollout of the coronavirus vaccines across the country. The vaccines come at a crucial time as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 300,000 Americans.
The first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were administered to healthcare workers on Monday, December 14th, marking the start of the vaccination campaign. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on December 11th, following a rigorous review of clinical trial data that showed the vaccine to be safe and effective.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine requires two doses, administered 21 days apart, and is said to be 95% effective in preventing COVID-19. The vaccine is also reported to have good safety outcomes, with only mild to moderate side effects reported in some cases.
The rollout of the vaccine is expected to take several months, with priority given to healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents and staff in the first phase. The next phase will focus on essential workers and people over the age of 75, followed by people with underlying health conditions and people over the age of 65.
The Moderna vaccine is also awaiting emergency use authorization from the FDA after clinical trials showed it to be 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19. Once authorized, the Moderna vaccine will be rolled out across the country, increasing the availability of vaccines to more people.
The vaccination campaign comes as the United States continues to report record-breaking numbers of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Health officials are urging the public to continue to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
As the vaccine rollout continues, it is crucial that people stay informed and follow the guidance of public health officials to help end the pandemic. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and rollout by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
References:
1. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Takes Additional Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for Second COVID-19 Vaccine. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-additional-action-fight-against-covid-19-issuing-emergency-use-authorization-second-covid
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Vaccines.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html