US CDC Advisory Committee Decides to Prioritize COVID-19 Vaccines for Medical Staff and Nursing Hospitals

21 Million Medical Staff and 3 Million Long-Term Care Hospital Patients to Receive Priority Vaccination
Next Priority Vaccination Candidates to Be Discussed Soon in Upcoming Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The expert advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine be administered first to healthcare workers, patients, and nursing home residents. The estimated number of healthcare workers and nursing home patients is 24 million.

On the 1st (local time), the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices prepared this recommendation regarding vaccine administration. The first group to receive the vaccine was estimated to be 21 million healthcare workers. The rationale was that doctors, nurses, and other medical staff should first acquire immunity to COVID-19 to respond to the surge in patients. Although there were concerns that vaccine efficacy should be verified for the 3 million nursing home patients, they were included in the first vaccination group to prevent patient casualties.

Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) Vaccine
[Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

Since the CDC almost always approves the advisory committee's recommendations without exception, it is highly likely that these will become the actual vaccine administration guidelines. Dr. Beth Bell of the University of Washington, a committee member, emphasized rapid vaccination, noting that on average one person dies every minute.

However, the detailed authority for vaccine administration lies with state governments, so it may vary depending on vaccine supply conditions and state government decisions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing plans to grant emergency use authorization this month for two vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna. Once vaccine use authorization is granted, approximately 5 to 10 million doses are expected to be supplied within a week, with a total of 40 million doses (enough for 20 million people) expected to be supplied by the end of the year.

The advisory committee is expected to hold a meeting soon to prepare recommendations for the next priority group for vaccination. Foreign media predict that the next priority group will include teachers, police officers, firefighters, essential workers in food and transportation industries, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions.