As development of a new COVID-19 vaccine progresses, regional leaders in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia are focusing on building safe and organized distribution strategies.
Area officials were briefed on the status of vaccine development, challenges, and the projected distribution process at the COG Board of Directors meeting on November 12 by Patrick Ashley, D.C. Department of Health Senior Deputy Director of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Ashley told the board that Pfizer, the first pharmaceutical company to announce its success in developing a vaccine, is looking to receive FDA approval after documenting a more than 90 percent efficacy rate out of approx. 43,000 participants.
“If all things go well, we could start to see some vaccine hitting the shelves sometime in December. Again, there is a lot of unknowns here so we look at it with some cautious optimism,” said Ashley.
The federal government and CDC have already asked states to create draft vaccine distribution plans, explaining how each state plans to allocate the vaccine once active. The federal government will control overall distribution to each state and provide supplies, but state governments will be able to make population-based decisions for allocation based on exposure, comorbidity, and capacity.
CDC experts have developed four phases for vaccine distribution:
- Phase 1: High-risk health care workers, first responders, and people with comorbidities and in congregate care facilities
- Phase 2: Critical infrastructure workers, older adults, and educators
- Phase 3: Young adults, children, and additional critical infrastructure workers
- Phase 4: Remaining population
This process will undoubtedly come with its challenges, including insufficient dosage numbers and vaccine hesitancy from the public. For example, the Pfizer vaccine will require storage at ultra-cold temperatures, but Ashley believes the implementation of proper training and handling can mitigate this challenge and ensure successful delivery.
Ashley also highlighted the challenge of public information and encouraging people to want the vaccine.
“[We are] in a situation where we already have a substantial issue with mistrust in regards to COVID, and also historic issues with vaccine hesitancy especially in disenfranchised communities.”
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall noted that outreach surrounding the vaccine will be critical and jurisdictions should begin to make connections with groups in your community to identify trusted individuals and organizations to spread vaccination information.
COG Board Chair Derrick L. Davis mentioned the importance of sharing clear and consistent messages about the vaccines to “ensure that all the people in this region are comfortable with what’s going on, despite the politics.”
The COG Health Officials Committee continues to convene bi-monthly to share strategies to address the many challenges of the pandemic and will coordinate plans to ensure the equitable and safe distribution of the vaccine as it becomes available.
MORE: CDC Vaccine Distribution Executive Summaries