While hope is high for Pfizer vaccine, US states face distribution issues

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Hopes for the availability of Pfizer’s COVID-19  vaccine might be sooner than expected as trials showed a more than 90% success rate in stopping the infection.
• Costs of production and distribution will be a problem, as it will be almost impossible to do within the budget and timeframe required.
• Workforce and storage are also some of the other expected hurdles in the nationwide distribution of the vaccine.

While Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine may be on the way, the challenge of distribution management and cost throughout all  50 states will be a significant factor, considering the government will shoulder the operations.

Joe Biden, the 46th President-elect, has promised to spend $25 billion in production and logistics of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, the federal support has already boosted this year’s state funds, as the outbreak hit tax returns.

Considering that some of these budgets are set to expire in the next few months, the next stimulus package hindered in Congress since June along with Biden’s plan is yet to be finalized, additional cash may not get to states pending a distribution.

Sara Leeds, immunization program manager in Idaho, said they required more from the federal administration.

On Monday, BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc. announced that out of more than tens of trials with volunteers,  their vaccine candidate stopped over 90% of the symptomatic contagions. If their products get certified from required safety checks, approval, and deliveries could happen in just a few weeks.

Coronavirus response amounting to almost $12 billion was already distributed to territorial, state, and local health agencies this year, as funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

With the approval by Congress, the budget money was intended for contact tracing, testing, and other related requirements.

The CDC said in November that the vaccine planning was financed with $200 million. But despite this budget, health and immunity experts and organizations estimate $8.4 billion more is necessary for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Leeds also added that Idaho would require more employees to prevent overworking during the vaccination distribution operation. The state must also extend support to local health offices which are already in full capacity amidst the pandemic.

Department of Health spokesperson Maggi Mumma also confirmed via email that other states are in the same situation,  adding that it will be difficult to implement mass vaccination for all Pennsylvanians, 12.8 million of them, within the target schedule considering the current funding.

Another issue that emerged is how to keep Pfizer’s shots under the required temperature, which is lower than commercial freezers can provide.

In a letter Oct. 26 by the CDC to immunization programs, the department asked the states to survey sites that could handle vaccine storage at subfreezing temperatures of 94 degrees Fahrenheit below zero as required by Pfizer.

The letter also asked local health departments to be prepared for a Nov. 15 shipment.

The details of when or how the distribution campaign would start are yet to be determined, pending the availability of a working vaccine.

Source: Herald Mail Media