Trump Administration Releases COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy

September 18, 2020

The Administration on Wednesday released a detailed plan for the distribution of free COVID-19 vaccines beginning next year. The plan would prioritze vaccines for healthcare workers, essential employees, and high-risk indiividuals. From there, distribution would be expanded to the broader population.

The plan includes two documents: documents: A strategic distribution overview along with an interim playbook for states, tribal, territorial, and local public health programs.

In a statement, HHS Secretary Alex Azar, said, “As part of Operation Warp Speed, we have been laying the groundwork for months to distribute and administer a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it meets FDA’s gold standard.”

The plan allows for the possibility that more than one vaccine could be available. The FDA has said it might consider advancing an initial vaccine under what’s known as an Emergency Use Authorization, if it meets certain requirements for safety and efficacy.

Operation Warp Speed (OWS) aims to deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021.