NEW YORK (WKBW) — "This is now a foot race between the vaccine and COVID," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday during a COVID-19 briefing.
"The faster we vaccinate people, the quicker COVID comes down," Cuomo continued.
Experts estimate there is about a six to nine moth timeline for the majority of Americans to receive the vaccination, the governor says that is all in our control and how fast and how many people do it.
Thursday, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee panel endorsed the Moderna vaccine. Cuomo said the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force approved the Moderna vaccine as well, which adds confidence to the vaccine.
The state expects to receive about 346,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week. With the combination of the 170,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the expected Moderna doses, 36,800 doses will go to the Western New York region and 33,650 for the Finger Lakes region.
Cuomo says the initial shipment of Pfizer vials were supposed to contain five doses, but actually contained more. The FDA and NYSDOH have issued guidance as to how the extra doses can be used.
Phase I of vaccine distribution is still under way, Phase II is expected in late January. You can learn more about Phase II here.
