All of a sudden, it seems like we’re hurtling towards a coronavirus vaccine– with the very first dosages potentially being administered prior to the 2020 election.
Why it matters: The question of whether politics influence the Trump administration’s actions looms larger than ever. Just as important is the question of whether we’ll be ready for this complex effort in less than 2 months.
Driving the news: The Centers for Illness Control and Avoidance prompted governors last week to do everything possible to get vaccine circulation sites functional by Nov. 1, McClatchy reported Wednesday
- A few hours later on, the New York Times published CDC guidance on how to disperse early doses of two vaccines, including who must receive priority.
- The vaccines, referred to as “Vaccine A” and “Vaccine B,” match the descriptions of vaccines being established by Pfizer and Moderna, which are furthest along in scientific trials. Both require two doses and must be saved at sub-zero temperatures.
What they’re saying: “This timeline of the preliminary release at the end of October is deeply worrisome for the politicization of public health and the prospective security implications,” epidemiologist Saskia Popescu informed NYT. “It’s tough not to see this as a push for a pre-election vaccine.”
The bottom line: None of the logistical obstacles in vaccine distribution are overwhelming, in theory. The U.S. has a dismal track record so far with even moderately difficult issues throughout this pandemic.
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