Doctors detail issues from delayed second dose of COVID-19 vaccines

ORLANDO, Fla. — As of Saturday, state records show more than 243,000 Floridians have been vaccinated. But all of those people have only received the first of two doses.

Both of the authorized vaccines require two doses to reach that 94% and 96% efficacy.

This week, the U.K. decided to delay second doses in order to prioritize getting the first doses to more people.

Read: Florida reports more than 31,000 new COVID-19 cases, 220 virus-related deaths after New Year’s Day delay

The U.K. decision has restarted conversations about whether the U.S. and Florida should do the same.

The U.K. made this decision on the heels of the variant there that spreads more quickly. That variant is now confirmed in Florida.

A local doctor said he hopes that doesn’t spark similar conversations in the state, but it’s an idea the governor has already mentioned before.

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Pfizer’s two vaccines are given 21 days apart, and Moderna’s can be given 28 days apart.

Early vaccine trial results show a 50% to 60% efficacy after participants took the first vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration’s emergency authorization was based on the efficacy and immunity of two doses.

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Doctors say only one dose will leave people only partially protected and will leave the virus diminished but still spreading.

In the beginning, Pfizer was only sending that second shot as it was needed, but as millions and millions of doses are delivered in future months, it could be up to states to determine whether they want to follow the U.K.’s decision.

See the full report in the video above.

Cox Media Group