An FDA advisory panel gave the green light today for Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. This is a critical milestone for the vaccine. It is likely the FDA will give the final green light within days, giving health care workers and nursing home residents priority to begin receiving the first shots next week.

With this blessing from the advisory committee, and the forthcoming FDA approval, the US may finally begin to slow the increasing infection and death rate.

Yesterday, there were over 3,000 deaths recorded in the US due to Covid-19, the highest day since the beginning of the pandemic.

In terms of logistics, the initial shipment of 6.4 million doses will leave warehouses within 24 hours of being cleared by the FDA. About half the doses will be sent around the country and half will be reserved for the initial recipients to receive their second dose about three weeks later.

The logistical distribution plan will be the fastest vaccine distribution plan in US history and will likely go on through the spring and into the summer.

The authorization of Pfizer's vaccine is expected to be followed soon by Moderna's vaccine, which uses similar technology and has also shown promising results in clinical trials.

In terms of the FDA review process, more than 100 FDA employees have worked nearly round the clock to review the application Pfizer submitted on November 20.

📌 This is developing vaccine news; we will update this post as more information comes in.