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COVID-19 has proven to be one of the deadliest viruses in recorded history. It’s no surprise that people are lining the streets and entering months-long waiting lists to get their vaccines. In a previous blog, we discussed What’s Going on with COVID Vaccines and why we need to continue doing research. Today we will be elaborating on that by discussing who will actually have access to the EUA vaccines and what everyone else should be doing in the meantime. Keep reading to learn how you could get early access to a vaccine candidate.
Who Has Access to Vaccines Right Now?
Right now, the COVID-19 vaccine supply is extremely limited. This means only the groups who are at the greatest risk for severe infection are being vaccinated at this time. Ultimately it is up to the federal, state, and local governments on how they will distribute the vaccines, but as of December 3, 2020, the CDC had given its formal recommendations for a phased plan. Of which, we are in Phase 1, which has three sub-phases explained below.
- Phase 1a – Healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities
- Phase 1b – Frontline essential workers and people aged 75 years and older
- Phase 1c – People aged 65-74, people aged 16-64 who have underlying medical conditions, and other essential workers
The goal is to get everyone vaccinated as soon as possible, but that won’t happen until there are large enough quantities of the vaccines to go around. Until then, the ACIP will expand the groups recommended.[1]
What Should You do in the Meantime?
It could be months or longer before the general population has access to the COVID Vaccine. So, in the meantime, we should all do the following steps.
- Visit your local vaccination websites to keep track of how things are going in your area.
- Keep practicing social distancing and other safety guidelines.
- Consider taking vitamins such as vitamin D, high-dose vitamin C, zinc, and potassium to boost the immune system.
- Remain calm
- Consider volunteering for research!
Learn About Research Options Available to You Now!
If you end up getting sick after all of that, you could qualify for research studies evaluating potential treatment options. Centex has studies enrolling in South Houston, North Houston, Lake Charles, and McAllen. If you’re determined, and you want potential access to a COVID vaccine now, you could qualify for research studies evaluating new potential COVID vaccine candidates. Centex has studies enrolling in South Houston, North Houston, Lake Charles, McAllen, and Brownsville.
Volunteers who are eligible for the studies and choose to participate could have access to the study medication, vaccine, or placebo and oversight from the Centex medical team at no cost. They are also compensated for their study-related time and travel. Don’t suffer through COVID symptoms or wait months for a COVID Vaccine; volunteer for research today!
References:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html