Friday, December 04, 2020

Coronavirus vaccine roundup: here's what we know

It's difficult to keep track of all the news about potential coronavirus vaccines and how and when they will be distributed. Here's some recent coverage that can help you get up to speed:

The two most promising vaccines thus far are by Moderna and Pfizer. AstraZeneca is also developing a vaccine but data may be unreliable because of a manufacturing error. Read more here for information comparing the three vaccines.

The Pfizer vaccine requires expensive, ultra-cold freezers for storage but the Moderna vaccine can be stored in a regular freezer. Since rural hospitals say they can't afford the pricey freezers for the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine may make for easier distribution in rural areas.

A new study shows that people still had high levels of coronavirus antibodies three months after receiving the Moderna vaccine. Read more here.

Full immunity requires two shots a month apart, but that could make it more difficult to distribute the vaccine, especially among people with limited access to health care. Read more here.

A vaccine for children may still be many months away. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines haven't been tested on children, and Pfizer only recently allowed testing on those as young as 12. Read more here.

USA Today has a general explainer about coronavirus vaccines. Read more here.

Optometrists and dentists may be authorized to administer vaccines to make it easier for people to get it. Read more here.

Health-care workers and nursing-home residents should be the first to get vaccinated, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory group. Read more here.

The Trump administration will leave it up to states to decide how the limited, early supplies of coronavirus vaccines will be distributed. Read more here.

An interactive feature in The Washington Post shows how much priority you might receive for a coronavirus vaccination, based on your age, health, location, and profession. Read more here.

Vaccination distribution will be a "mind-blowing" challenge for Alabama and other poor, rural states. Read more here.

A former military coronavirus planner says vaccine distribution will be a "nightmare." Read more here.

A tool aims to help states and counties plan how to distribute the vaccine. Read more here.

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