The distribution chain is in place and ready, he said.
Speaking from the Rose Garden Friday afternoon, President Trump addressed the nation on the status of COVID-19 vaccines that have been the subject of Operation Warp Speed. He was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and other members of the Warp Speed project.
He said the vaccine will be available to everyone by April. Distribution of the vaccine will begin within 24 hours of the emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. They are working with state governors and officials to secure the safe distribution of the vaccine.
As he praised the success of Operation Warp Speed, the public-private project to develop and speed up the production of the vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, he said his administration would not, under any circumstances, go into a lockdown.
The president said he was briefed by the scientific advisers in the Oval Office earlier in the day, during which it was confirmed that Pfizer has successfully tested a vaccine to 90 percent efficacy. Other vaccines are also on track to be available by the end of the year. Secretary Azar affirmed that the entirety of the vaccine development has been driven by science and not by politics.
Vice President Mike Pence noted the record-time development and the hard work of all the laboratories and others that will enable tens of millions of Americans, beginning with the most vulnerable, to potentially be able to receive the vaccine by the end of the year. The Coronavirus Task Force will be meeting with governors from all across the country in the coming week, he said.
“The American people should be encouraged because help is on the way,” said the vice president.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With thanks for the good news that help is “right around the corner” in the availability of a vaccine against the coronavirus.
- For communities across the nation who are seeing an increase in COVID infections.
- That the vaccine and other therapeutics would be able to curtail the pandemic.
Sources: C-SPAN, CBS News
