Fauci Confident of Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine, Says He Would Take It Once FDA Approved

The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said on Tuesday that he has confidence in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

Fauci also said that he would not hesitate to take the said vaccine once it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

He also praised Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine's result, saying it was impressive.

"Well, I'm going to look at the data, but I trust Pfizer, I trust the FDA. These are colleagues of mine for decades, the career scientists," Fauci was quoted in a The Hill report.

Fauci added that if the COVID-19 vaccine is given the emergency use authorization, with the remainder of testing goes smoothly, the first doses of the vaccine could be given to those deemed high priority individuals.

This is those who are in the healthcare profession and those vulnerable to the disease.

The first dose of the vaccine could be given as early as December, Fauci said.

The U.S. government intends to start vaccinating Americans in December, as long as Pfizer gives a positive initial data from its vaccine, according to an ABC report.

Pfizer said that as soon as next week it expects to have the safety data needed to apply for emergency use authorization with the FDA.

Vaccine Distribution

Once FDA granted authorization, the U.S. would receive around 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine per month, Health Secretary Alex Azar said.

Azar noted that the Department of Health and Human Services could procure the supplies at the end of this month.

The Australian Government has also managed to secure 10 million doses of Pfizer vaccine.

This could cover five million people as per the two doses needed.

The Therapeutical Goods Association granted Pfizer "provisional determination."

TGA has already started assessing the vaccine and will fast-track the approval process.

This is just the first step in the process and does not equate to being approved for use in the country.

The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will likely start with the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to recommendations to the government.

Healthcare workers and first responders will also be first in line, with a goal to complete the vaccination process by end of January.

Azar said he sees there would soon be more vaccine to protect the public from COVID-19.

Moderna was expected to announce interim results of a large trial of its experimental vaccine at the end of the month.

Azar said by the end of March, early April, they can expect to have enough for every American who would like to be vaccinated.

The World Health Organization's chief said it expects to have a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wants an equitable distribution of vaccines once available.

Despite the readiness of the vaccines, the distribution logistics might pose a problem.

There is a need to keep the vaccine in extremely cold storage area and it could complicate any inoculation program.

Regions of Asia and Africa have also warm climates.