(RxWiki News) Health officials and pharmaceutical companies are planning to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months. Here's what you need to know.
The coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna could reach as many as 100 million people in the United States by the end of February 2021, according to Seeking Alpha. If approved, a third COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson could push that number even higher.
But who will get the vaccine at first, when the supply is limited? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care workers and people who live in long-term care facilities will be offered the vaccines in the initial phase set to begin this month. These are considered high-risk groups. However, the CDC noted that the long-term plan is to allow everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
"The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as large quantities are available," according to the agency on its website. "The plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers."
The CDC noted that children and pregnant women may not be advised to get the COVID-19 vaccine at first because clinical trials did not include these groups. Further research will likely shed more light on whether the vaccine will be safe for children and pregnant women.
The vaccine will be paid for by the federal government, meaning the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine should not deter anyone who wants to receive it.
The CDC noted that the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is a "top priority" and said it will continue to release more information as it becomes available.
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, speak with your health care provider.
