Operation Warp Speed officials told reporters Wednesday that the United States could begin to see a drop in COVID-19 mortality, especially among the elderly now that first responders and nursing homes are receiving the vaccine.
CEO Gustave Perna confirmed that 20 million vaccine doses will be distributed by the end of the year, with 15.5 million doses already spread across the United States for first-time responders and elderly facilities. This does not mean that 20 million Americans can expect to receive the vaccines before the New Year.
USA reaches MILESTEEN ON MORE THAN ONE MILLION MANAGED VACCINES
Only one reported 1 million of the 9 million vaccines received by states have been administered, Perna confirmed on Wednesday. The seemingly slow pace was largely due to the “Herculean task” of delivering the vaccine to various counties, hospitals and facilities in distress.
“It’s about access to the vaccine when it arrives and is carried out,” Perna told reporters. “And we feel very strongly that they have really created and immunized a lot of people.”
Officials stressed that there is a “72-96 hour delay” in the status of the number of vaccines administered, suggesting that more than 1 million Americans have already received the first dose of the vaccine.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui maintained a hopeful tone, even as President-elect Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that our “darkest days are ahead” in the fight against coronavirus.
Slaoui said he believes the United States is still on track to have 100 million vaccinations by the end of March – meaning both dose rounds have been administered.
The scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed said that two weeks after 1 million people received both doses of the vaccine, the United States should begin to see a decrease in mortality.
Saloui addressed the recent fears following the development of new strains of the virus in Europe and Africa by telling reporters that there is “no evidence to support” that these other variants are more contagious.
He also said that while research is underway to understand allergic reactions, the six out of 1 million people with a reaction do not change “the vaccine’s safety profile.”
Both health officials maintained a hopeful perspective through Wednesday’s press conference, a sharp comparison to Biden’s honest press the day before.
“One thing I promise you about my leadership during this crisis: I will tell it straight for you. I will tell you the truth. And here is the simple truth: Our darkest days in the fight against COVID are ahead of us, not behind us. , ”Said Biden.
The bite reminded people that they need to take the virus seriously by wearing masks, taking social distance and avoiding indoor gatherings.
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He warned that even with the vaccine distribution, the virus will remain a threat for some time.
“We need to prepare to style our spines,” the president-elect continued. “As frustrating as it is to hear, it will take patience, perseverance and determination to beat this virus. There will be no time wasted taking the steps we need to reverse this crisis.”