HCAOA The Voice Winter 2020

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Many vaccines are being developed and tested, but some might be ready before others—CDC is planning for many possibilities. CDC is working with partners at all levels, includ- ing healthcare associations, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios. At least at first, COVID-19 vaccines might be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An EUA facilitates the availability and use of medical treatments during public health emer- gencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Under an EUA, the FDA may allow the use of unap- proved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious diseases. There may be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of 2020, but supply will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. The plan is to have several thou- sand vaccination providers available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers. If there is limited supply, some groups may be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first. Experts are working on how to distribute these limited vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. The CDC makes vaccination recommenda- tions based on input from the Advisory Commit- tee on Immunization Practices. At first, COVID-19 vaccines may not be recommended for children. In early clinical trials for various COVID-19 vaccines, only non-pregnant adults participated. However, clinical trials continue to expand those recruited to participate. The groups recom- mended to receive the vaccines could change in the future. Cost will not be an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. COVID-19 vaccine planning is being updated as new information becomes available. Check the CDC website at www.cdc.gov for the latest updates as vaccine plans develop. 8 Things to Know ABOUT VACCINE PLANNING With the possibility of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of the year, here are eight things you need to know about where those plans currently stand: 1 5 2 6 3 7 4 8 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 17 Winter 2020