State health officials continue preparing for the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver noted Wednesday that Pfizer reported that its vaccine is about 95-percent effective, and they’re hearing similar results from the Moderna vaccine trials.
“The final Pfizer trial found that people who received the vaccine tolerated it well, and fatigue and headaches were reported by some recipients, but no serious safety issues were identified,” Weaver said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing. “We want Hoosiers to know that no COVID vaccine will be distributed until it is deemed safe by federal regulators and our own state review committee.”
Weaver added that Pfizer plans to seek an emergency use authorization from the FDA soon, and shipments to the state could come as soon as 48 hours after it’s issued. She stressed that the vaccine has not been rushed, but there are still a few unknowns. “The vaccine we expect to receive initially has only been tested in individuals 18 years and older, so it will not be available to children,” Weaver explained. “However, Pfizer has expanded its trial to include children as young as 12, so we will be watching for additional research. We also don’t know how long protection will last for those who receive the vaccine. That will take additional study from the manufacturers.”
Weaver said nearly 50 hospitals around the state are prepared to administer the vaccine. Frontline health care staff will be the first to get it. She doesn’t expect the state to have enough to vaccinate the general public until late spring or early summer.
