Actions

WATCH LIVE: National COVID Task Force Update

Vice President Mike Pence provides an update on the pandemic response in the U.S.
Coronavirus-confirmed healthcare workers can return to work without being testing negative
Posted at 12:23 PM, Jun 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-19 21:31:57-05

WASHINGTON D.C. — The White House's coronavirus task force says once a COVID vaccination receives an emergency authorization, the government will immediately start distributing it.

'Operation Warp Speed' has a goal to distribute 300 million doses of COVID vaccinations by January. Two candidates, Pfizer and Moderna, have received at least a 94% effective rate during their vaccination trails.

"The process of the speed did not compromise safety nor did it compromise scientific integrity. It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advances in these types of vaccines which allowed us to do things in months that actually took years before. So I really want to settle that concern that people have about that," said Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

High priority populations such as healthcare workers and those with underlying conditions could be receiving the vaccine shortly. Officials warn that it could take several more months to mass distribute the vaccines to others, urging Americans to abide by health guidelines to reduce the spread.

Data shows the current trajectory we are on could result in 2,000 deaths per day by Christmas, according to the task force.

"We are telling you that help is on the way, which has two aspects to it. It means that we need to actually double down on the public health measures as we are waiting on that help to come which will be soon," said Dr. Fauci.

General Gustave Perna, the Chief Operating Officer of Operation Warp Speed also said during the press conference that vaccines should be shipped with 24 hours of emergency use authorization. People will begin receiving the vaccination within another 24 hour period.

The Pfizer vaccine would be transported by UPS and Fedex along with dry ice kits at sites of vaccine administration. There's also 100 million ancillary kits containing needles and alcohol swabs, which are set to be distributed at the same time.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE PRESS BRIEFING