Health Secretary Predicts First COVID Vaccinations Could Start Early Next Week

on January 9, 2018 in Washington, DC.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar had some good news regarding the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday morning.

“Just a little bit ago, the [Food and Drug Administration] informed Pfizer that they do intend to proceed towards an authorization for their vaccines,” the HHS chief told “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

He said his department will discuss the next steps with the pharmaceutical company within the next several days.

“We will work with Pfizer to get that shipped out,” Azar said. “And so we could be seeing people getting vaccinated Monday, Tuesday of next week.”

The new development comes after the FDA’s advisory board endorsed the vaccine on Thursday, clearing a path for the agency to finally approve it. Elderly Americans and health care workers will be the first to get vaccinated.

Earlier in the week, Azar reported that the vaccine will be available to all adults by mid-2021 and that he expects a “return to normalcy” in the next year.

Watch Azar below:

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Notable Replies

  1. Of course the trump family, the pence family, and all their cronies will get the first shots.

  2. I still can’t get over the fact Donnie turned down the doses we desperately need.

  3. Jared doesn’t know anything about how supply lines work.

    He’s never had to stand in line to buy a Playstation or the latest iPhone.

  4. “We will work with Pfizer to get that shipped out,” Azar said. “And so we could be seeing people getting vaccinated Monday, Tuesday of next week.”

    The Trump vaccine distribution plan begins Beta testing Monday, Tuesday of next week.

  5. Earlier in the week, Azar reported that the vaccine will be available to all adults by mid-2021 and that he expects a “return to normalcy” in the next year.

    This part disturbs me after yesterdays (?) discussion over when “normalcy” returns. There is still a long way to go before we’re out of the danger zone, and promising quick steps to normal statements isn’t going to help.

    All through this pandemic there have been comparisons of Churchill and FDR’s ability to message and Trump’s lack of ability to tell the country the hard part=truth.
    Listening to people like Azar who is not a medical professional with knowledge of the subject as opposed to real doctors and scientists with knowledge of viruses and pandemics is like night and day.
    Just because you got a shot in arm doesn’t mean you’re safe, you are safer, but not home free.

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