Here's The Status Of A COVID-19 Vaccine In Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA — State health officials on Thursday outlined a three-phased plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine that could become available to some Pennsylvanians as soon as next month.

During a news briefing Thursday, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said, while distribution of the vaccine could start as soon as early December, it will take time to immunize the state's entire population.

"Not everyone will be able to get the vaccine right away," Levine stressed, noting public health measures like wearing masks will continue to play a critical role in fighting coronavirus through 2021.

Levine said vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are likely to be the first candidates to be distributed in Pennsylvania. Both companies recently announced that trials have showed their vaccines are more than 90 percent effective in preventing coronavirus infections.

Pfizer will be submitting an application for emergency use authorization very soon, Levine said. Moderna is expected to do the same in the coming weeks.

"If the approval process remains on track, we could have a vaccine in the next month," Levine said.

Once the emergency use authorization is approved, Levine said the Pennsylvania Department of Health will work to ensure that the vaccines are appropriately distributed. This will happen in three phases.

"We do not know how quickly the vaccine supply will meet the demand," she said.

In phase one, critical populations, including healthcare workers, EMS responders and essential workers will get the vaccination. Also in the first phase, those 65 and older, as well as residents of congregate care living facilities will be eligible.

In phase two, the vaccine availability will expand to vulnerable, including those with high-risk health conditions.

Phase three is when the vaccine will widely available to all Pennsylvanians. It is not clear when phase three is expected, but Levine said residents can expect to partake in other mitigation measures, including mask wearing, "well into 2021."

Both Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines require two doses.

Several logistics must be worked out before the vaccines can be distributed broadly. For example, Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine has to be kept at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. Moderna's vaccine candidate can be safely stored at refrigerator temperatures for 30 days and up to 12 hours at room temperature.

Pennsylvania on Thursday once again broke its own record for most new cases reported in a single day. There were 7,126 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 288,978.

As of Thursday, there are 2,904 people in the state hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 628 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Also Thursday, 116 new coronavirus deaths were reported, bringing Pennsylvania's death toll to 9,581.

You can view the state's full COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan here.