First Covid-19 Vaccines to be Administered by Early December

Strategic Insights -

Healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities, about 24 million people, will receive the first Covid-19 vaccine as soon as this Monday, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Experts advising the CDC have recommended that the next group to receive the vaccine, perhaps in January, include essential workers, such as emergency medical technicians and police officers, as well as older adults living in crowded conditions. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 21 million healthcare personnel, 3 million long-term care residents, 87 million essential workers, 100 million adults with high-risk medical conditions, and 53 million others 65 and older are among those who will receive the vaccine as part of the four-phase rollout plan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The first group to receive the vaccine, about 24 million people, includes healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities, who are considered high-risk due to their exposure to COVID-19 patients.
  • Essential workers, such as emergency medical technicians and police officers, may receive the vaccine in January, followed by older adults living in crowded conditions.
  • The CDC estimates that 21 million healthcare personnel, 3 million long-term care residents, 87 million essential workers, 100 million adults with high-risk medical conditions, and 53 million others 65 and older will receive the vaccine.
  • The vaccine distribution plan consists of four phases, with Phase 1 including high-risk groups, Phase 2 including essential workers, Phase 3 including young adults, children, and workers in industries essential to society, and Phase 4 including the general public.
  • The CDC anticipates that 40 million doses of vaccine could be available in the US by the end of December, pending approval of both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

Statistics:

  • Health care workers: 240,000 infected with COVID-19, with nearly 900 deaths (Source: CDC)
  • Long-term care facilities: 40% of COVID-19 deaths in the US (Source: CDC)
  • Estimated number of people receiving the vaccine: 21 million healthcare personnel, 3 million long-term care residents, 87 million essential workers, 100 million adults with high-risk medical conditions, and 53 million others 65 and older
  • Number of doses available by the end of December: 40 million (Source: Federal government)
  • Estimated number of people waiting to receive the vaccine: 76% of the US population (Source: CDC)

Sources:

  • CNN: Maggie Fox (Author)
  • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)