Coronavirus update: Hospitals prepare for upcoming vaccine release after FDA approval

ORLANDO, Fla. — While hospitals and health care facilities anxiously await the first doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, doctors at AdventHealth say they are ready.

“They will release the vaccine to the state and then the state will deliver to us immediately thereafter,” said Dr. Steven Smith, AdventHealth’s chief scientific officer.

READ: FDA authorizes Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

Smith says they are ready with the super cold freezers, set to -80 degrees Celsius, and doctors who can answer any questions people may have about the vaccine.

Doctors and nurses who have been on the front lines of the pandemic will be among the first to get the vaccine.

AdventHealth’s infection control officer Dr. Vincent Hsu said while there may be some hesitation in being the first to get the vaccine, but early data shows the benefits outweigh the risk.

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“With a 90% efficacy we’ve seen with these first vaccines, I mean that is really good. You’re going to be hard-pressed to find other vaccines that match that,” Hsu said.

Those rates, along with available safety data, were enough for the FDA to issue an emergency use authorization late Friday.

Experts predict full FDA approval of the vaccine will most likely happen in March when there is more data available.

Until the vaccine is more widely available to the general public, health experts recommend people continue with preventative measures such as wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and social distancing.

Cox Media Group