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Comment by todipa | Hacker News Reader

How will the logistics work? Who gets access to this vaccine first?

Generally, health care workers and those most at risk are being granted early access.

From a public safety perspective, I wonder if perhaps those most likely to spread the disease should be the first to be innoculated rather than those most likely to have a bad outcome.

I’ve heard this argument before, I’m still convinced that covering at-risk groups first is the best idea. Even if it still continues to spread for months, we can bring the deaths way down, and give our isolated elderly generation a much-needed opportunity to see family and friends.

> give our isolated elderly generation a much-needed opportunity to see family and friends

There's concern that elderly people's weaker immune systems won't react as strongly to the vaccine, so it won't be as effective.

https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/03/cdc-advisory-panels-lone...

>From a public safety perspective, I wonder if perhaps those most likely to spread the disease should be the first to be innoculated rather than those most likely to have a bad outcome.

The argument is that the vaccine has not been proven to prevent infection and spread. Only to prevent severe disease in those who do get infected. So administering it to those with comorbidities, for now, is the most effective means of reducing overall mortality based on known evidence.

That's technically true, but I'd be really surprised if vaccinated people didn't spread it less...so surprised that I'd argue it's a risk worth taking.

The US has currently purchased enough vaccine for 50 million people (100 million doses). Further doses from Pfizer are not expected until around June because of obligations Pfizer has to other countries.

Within the US, each state will be allocated vaccines in proportion to their population. Each state is then responsible for deciding how to allocate them. You can look for your state here [0]

Logisticly speaking, the plan [1] is for Pfizer to ship vaccines directly to the point of use, using custom containers featuring dryice, thermal sensors, and GPS. These containers can passively maintain temperature for up to 10 days.

Once at the point of use, the vaccine can be stored for up to 6 months if a suitable freezer is available.

Without a ultra low temperature freezer, the vaccine can be stored in the Pfizer container used for shipping for up to 30 days, provided the dry ice is replaced regularly.

Standard refrigerators can store the vaccine for up to 5 days.

The vaccine must be thawed before it can be used.

[0] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/07/state-...

[1] https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/covid_19_vaccine_u_s_...

The US passed on an opportunity to secure up to 500 million additional doses despite warnings from Pfizer. [1]

> Accounts differ over the timing of the discussions between Pfizer and federal officials about locking in extra doses. Several people said that during late summer or early fall, Pfizer officials repeatedly warned the Trump administration that demand could vastly outstrip supply and urged it to pre-order more doses, but were turned down.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/us/politics/trump-pfizer-...

The US also has at least a couple hundred million doses lined up of Moderna's vaccine. Their request for an emergency use authorization was submitted 10 days after Pfizer's so hopefully will be approved before Christmas.

You can read the CDC's plan here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/covid19-vaccination-gu...

The initial rollout will target healthcare workers and extremely vulnerable populations, mostly seniors in care facilities.

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