There’s an idea for a new COVID-19 distribution plan that has been considered in the United Kingdom that might make its way to the United States.
What’s happening:
The United Kingdom said recently it plans to give out as many first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as possible, rather than holding back doses for people’s second shots, The New York Times reports.
- It’s unclear what this will do for Britain’s population since no other country has tried this method.
- The argument suggests multiple at-risk people will be given the first shot to limit exposure. However, experts and vaccine developers maintain that the second dose is needed for the vaccine to achieve 95% efficacy.
What’s being said
Dr. Anthony Fauci recently weighed in on the plan in an interview with “Today.” He said that it’s currently “under consideration” with the United States.
- “You can make an argument, and some people are, about stretching out the doses by giving a single dose across the board, and hoping you’re going to get the second dose in time to give to individuals.”
Fauci said on “Today” that the country’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine so far has been “disappointing.” He said the U.S. originally planned to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of 2020. About 3 million people have gotten the vaccine thus far, Fauci said.
- “It’d be better to give more resources.”
- “You have to support the local groups, the states and the cities, to help them to get this task done, which is a very prodigious task,” he said.