When AP News is bold enough to open this debate, it must be a sign we are making good progress. Moreover, it’s probably a good idea to discuss things while we are not facing the pressure of a moment. Dr Francis Collins hopes to see guidelines for who should qualify to get the COVID-19 vaccine first, by late September, 2020. He is director of National Institutes of Health, and was speaking to one of the advisory groups.
Should Vulnerable People Qualify to Get the Vaccine First?
Health workers should traditionally be first in line for the vaccine. And also other highly vulnerable people who should qualify for the vaccine early, according to AP News. However, Dr Francis Collins is considering recommending priority for people in places where the outbreak is worse. And perhaps volunteers who received dummy placebo shots too.
The entire world faces a global dilemma on this. There won’t be sufficient vaccine for everybody for a while, especially if two shots are necessary as seems increasingly probable. The World Health Organization would like to see fair distribution of vaccines to poorer countries too. But will / should / must wealthy countries that developed the medication play ball?
Those Priorities Will Require Creative, Moral Common Sense
Dr Bill Foege was Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1977 to 1983. He devised the global smallpox eradication strategy, and is currently leading the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The U.S. government has asked his committee to recommend who should qualify to get the COVID-19 vaccine first.
This is both an opportunity, and a burden, Dr Bill Foege told AP News reporter Lauren Neergaard. That’s because the public must see vaccine allocation as ‘equitable, fair and transparent’. Meanwhile, Dr Nancy Messonnier of CDC believes the health industry must be ready to start vaccinating ‘the day after the vaccine is declared effective’.
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