Connect with us

Uncategorized

COVID vaccine could be available this month, but who gets the first dose?

Published

on

The FDA will be deciding Thursday whether to grant an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, and Moderna is up next week.

If those authorizations are granted, the first doses of the Covid vaccine could roll out this month.

But who gets them?

“Right now, the plan is that the top priority is to immunize healthcare providers,” says University of Oregon biology professor Janis Weeks.

Public Health will help get those first vaccines to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Next up? Essential workers, people over 65 and those with underlying conditions.

How long until the rest of us can get vaccinated depends on which vaccines get approved and how quickly they’re distributed.

“Looking forward to February, March, April, potentially, before it starts to become available to the general population,” says Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health.

Once it’s your turn, getting vaccinated could look a lot like getting a flu shot, and should be free.

“Immunizations will start happening through pharmacies – you know, chain pharmacies,” says Weeks.

But Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses, and it’s not clear yet whether you’ll need to get one every year.

The vaccine will not be mandatory, but about 90% of the population needs to be vaccinated for herd immunity.

“Lots of variables at play here and a lot of this does depend on our public’s participation in the vaccine process,” says Davis.

Even though the vaccine was developed quickly, it still went through all the clinical trials and Weeks says it’s safe.

Adds LCPH’s Davis: “In order to compensate for the small amount of time, they’ve really increased their sample sizes in testing for safety.”

Even the experts can’t tell us exactly when life will return to normal.

“It all depends on the markers, the case rates and transmission rates,” Weeks says, “and it’s just going to be a rolling decision.”

Dr. Weeks says optimistic predictions say the pandemic could be over by summer 2021, but that depends on enough people getting vaccinated and the public social distancing in the meantime.

You may also like…

Oregon1 day ago

Governor Kotek invokes Emergency Conflagration Act for Elk Fire in Klamath County as wildfire threat grows

Oregon – Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Elk Fire burning in Klamath...

Eugene1 day ago

Eugene braces for heat advisory as temperatures near 100 degrees, splash pads open daily to help residents stay cool

Eugene, OR – The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Eugene area on Saturday, July 13, with...

Eugene1 day ago

Firefighters contain South Hills house fire in Eugene, prevent spread to nearby trees and homes

Eugene, OR – A house fire broke out Saturday morning in Eugene’s South Hills, prompting a swift response from Eugene...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene seeks creative frightful features for Halloween celebration

Eugene, OR — As Halloween Downtown returns this October, the City of Eugene’s Cultural Services division is calling on local...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to vehicle fire after rollover crash

Eugene, OR — On July 9 at approximately 3:35 p.m., Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a vehicle that had...

Eugene3 days ago

34-year-old suspect wanted for murder apprehended by Eugene police using license plate reader system

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department successfully arrested Isiah Terrell Taylor, 34, a suspect wanted by the Milwaukee Police Department...

Eugene3 days ago

Eugene police officers join Special Olympics Oregon Torch Run to show support

Eugene,r O – Eugene Police Department officers took to the streets for the Special Olympics Oregon Torch Run, carrying the...

Eugene3 days ago

City of Eugene seeks community input through 2025 survey

Eugene, OR – Eugene city officials are inviting residents to participate in the 2025 Community Survey, available online through July...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to manufacturing facility fire in West Eugene

Eugene, OR — On July 5th, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a commercial fire at the original Archimoto building on West...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire water rescue crew saves five from McKenzie River incident

Eugene, OR – According to the officials, Eugene Springfield Fire’s water rescue team responded to a distress call near Bellinger...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene police step up speed enforcement with multiple stops in two hours

Eugene, OR — The Eugene Police Department recently intensified speed limit enforcement along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, resulting in...

Trending