Once the shots reach a facility, nurses can administer them with a vaccine kit, which includes gloves and other items, shipped separately from Pfizer. Once opened, the vial’s five doses remain stable for six hours. Patients who get the first dose will then need a second shot in about three weeks.
Following the initial phase of vaccinations, next in line will be essential workers in January then people over 65 years old and adults with high-risk medical conditions. The general population probably will have to wait until the spring or summer of 2021 to get a vaccine. Another vaccine, produced by Moderna, is under review. It could be cleared soon, potentially providing millions more doses to Americans and it faces similar distribution obstacles.
