As you know by now, Pfizer/BioNTech's mRNA vaccine candidate was authorized for prevention of COVID-19 illness in individuals age 16 and older, becoming the first vaccine to earn that distinction, the FDA said late Friday.
The emergency use authorization allows the vaccine to be distributed in the U.S., with the agency noting clear evidence the vaccine may be effective in preventing COVID-19 and the benefits outweigh the risk in this population. CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, officially signed off Sunday on ACIP's recommendation of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in people 16 and older. The first shots of the vaccine are expected to be administered today, but CVS said it won't be providing them in long-term care facilities for another week. Hospitals are scrambling to determine which workers should get doses.
Our members in private practice are asking when the vaccine will be available for them and patients. THIS FACT SHEET provides some information, but little on timing aspects as the roll out to practices is yet to be determined.
That said, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued this statement today relative to availability: