Health care workers, nursing home residents first in line to get COVID-19 vaccine

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – Health care workers and people in long-term care facilities should be first in line for the coronavirus vaccine. A CDC panel voted on its distribution recommendation plan Tuesday afternoon.

Two companies are asking for emergency authorization for their vaccines. The first shots could be given later this month. The FDA is scheduled to consider granting emergency approval for the Pfizer vaccine Dec. 10 and the Moderna vaccine the following week.

University Health System President and CEO George Hernandez told Bexar County Commissioner Court Tuesday that the first batch of the vaccine could arrive in San Antonio by late next week and more than two dozen local sites are being prepared for the vaccine distribution.

Metro Health medical director Dr. Junda Woo says more than likely, the vaccine will be here by mid-December, if all goes well and the Pfizer vaccine is approved Dec. 10.

Logistics are a problem because cold storage is crucial.  The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -94 degrees Fahrenheit with a limited shelf life at normal refrigerated temperatures.

“University Health has the subzero freezers and some other places do, too,” said Woo.   However, cold storage could be a real problem for smaller, rural counties.