On Tuesday, a panel consisting of U.S. health advisers will meet to vote on who will receive the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine.
When the vaccine is approved, officials will be left to decide who should have priority. It has been suggested that health care workers receive the first batch as well as those employed in essential businesses. Experts would also like to place people with certain medical conditions and those over 65 on that list.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its members will meet Tuesday to discuss not only who but also when, the Associated Press reports.
Manufacturers of the Vaccine Pfizer—including its German partner BioNTech— requested an emergency to use its vaccine, Moderna Inc. is expected to do the same. FDA scientific advisers will meet on December 10 to evaluate Pfizer’s request. From there, they will send their recommendation to the FDA.
Both companies have already begun collecting coronavirus vaccine doses in hopes of getting an approval. Still, the first round will be scarce and rationed.
