PRESIDENT Donald Trump is eager to distribute a coronavirus vaccine to the American public “immediately” once it’s approved by the FDA becomes available.
At a Wednesday evening press briefing at the White House, Trump said he is “fully mobilizing” the power of the military and biotech companies to have a COVID-19 vaccine distributed “sometime in October.”
“When we go, we go!” the president told reporters, emphasizing that “we want to go immediately.”
When asked about a specific time frame as to when Americans should expect to receive a vaccine, Trump merely said: “Very soon.”
Dr Scott Atlas, the president’s special advisor on coronavirus, said the government plans to distribute 700million doses by the end of the first quarter of 2021, likely in March.
“High-priority people” like healthcare workers and first responders would be the first to get vaccinated, and the focus would be on medical centers in minority communities, according to Atlas.
“The high-priority people will have it some time – no later than January,” he said.
“Of course, this depends on when things are approved, but as anticipated, there will be 700million doses by end of Q1. That’s 700million doses.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the Trump administration unveiled their plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to all Americans for free in a 57-page report to Congress.
The report said that under “Operation Warp Speed” – Trump’s plan to fast-track COVID vaccines – the shot could be available to Americans for free as early as late 2020 or by January 2021.
“COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary supplies will be procured and distributed by the federal government at no cost to enrolled COVID-19 vaccination providers,” the 57-page plan said.
The free jabs would come as part of taxpayer funding approved by Congress, the Associated Press reported.
Under the plan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that most vaccines will require two doses administered about 21 to 28 days apart.
The vaccine rollout would be done in three phases, and the Trump administration’s plan outlined guidance for states and localities.
Trump’s comments at the press briefing directly contradicted CDC Director Robert Redfield’s earlier statement that vaccine distribution for the general public wouldn’t be until next summer or even next fall.
The president deemed the CDC boss’ comments as “incorrect information”, claiming that he called Redfield himself and wasn’t made aware of the information.
“I don’t think he means that,” Trump asserted. “When he said it, I believe he was confused.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://covidnineteen.wiki/united-kingdom/is-test-capacity-outstripping-test-numbers/