U.S. Plans to Ship First Covid-19 Vaccine 24 Hours After Authorization

The plans are part of the federal government’s broader preparations for a vaccine rollout, which health authorities and industry officials say could start this fall if a vaccine proves to work safely in the late-stage trials now under way.

The plans leave out important details, including how the tracking system for ensuring people get all the vaccinations they need will work, said Soumi Saha, senior director of advocacy for Premier Inc., one of the largest group purchasers for U.S. hospitals and providers. “The reality is it’s not a plan at all,” she said. “It really is silent on the critical details that are really necessary to implement a mass vaccination campaign of this nature successfully.”

She expressed concern the holes could create confusion and problems along the supply chain, and among people looking to get vaccinated.

As part of the efforts, U.S. officials have asked states to be ready for three scenarios, which describe characteristics for vaccines that appear to be for the distribution of vaccines from Moderna Inc. or Pfizer Inc., or both, though the companies aren’t named.

Full Story