On 13th
Dec, Trump tweeted that White House Officials won't receive vaccine unless necessary
as cases surge killing 350 thousand American citizens.
"People
working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the
program, unless specifically necessary," Trump tweeted. "I have asked
that this adjustment be made. I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look
forward to doing so at the appropriate time. Thank you!"
The
vaccine issued offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 keeping health
workers and elderly in priority as first three million doses being distributed
to dozens of locations in all 50 states across the US.
As
news on 13th stated that the officials will be the first vaccinated
created much criticism. However, Trumps decision to play reverse UNO or what
effect it would have on the government's efforts to
protect top officials is not clear.
U.S. hit the world record of daily increase of
3,309 deaths in November. The vaccine rollout stands to be the turning point
for the American citizens killing more than 300,000 people.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a
significant milestone under its emergency-use authorization of the vaccine
under Trump's administration pressure to approve inoculation.
When Is Trump Receiving the Vaccine?
Officials
from White House have informed few media outlets that some of the first
vaccines will be reserved for those who work in close proximity to Trump.
Vice President Mike Pence and other top US officials
would be offered the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine as part of a plan aimed at
ensuring continuity of government.
Essential officials and certain officials in all three branches of
government were set to be vaccinated within the next 10 days post 14th Dec.
The
vaccination plan was confirmed by National Security Council
(NSC) spokesman John Ullyot. One of the main motives was to build public trust
in the vaccine he said.
"The American people should have confidence that they are
receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United
States government on the advice of public health professionals and national
security leadership," Mr Ullyot said.
Trump who had contracted virus in October said he was not scheduled
as to when he would receive the vaccine but was looking forward to do so at an
appropriate time.
Trump had previously claimed that he is immune even though medical
experts are not sure if one is protected from second infection and if so, how
long it will endure.
It's also not clear whether President-elect Joe Biden,
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and other members of Biden’s transition team
would be offered vaccinations.
How Does the Vaccine
Work?
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first Covid-19
jab to show promising results in the latter stages of its testing process.
The vaccine uses a tiny fragment of genetic code from the pandemic
virus to teach the body how to fight Covid-19 and build immunity as it's a new
type called an mRNA.
"The vaccine contains a small piece of the
[Covid-19] virus's mRNA that instructs cells in the body to make the virus's
distinctive 'spike' protein," the FDA said.
"When a person receives this vaccine, their
body produces copies of the spike protein, which does not cause disease, but
triggers the immune system to learn to react defensively, producing an immune
response against [Covid-19]."
The vaccine is given in two injections, 21 days
apart, with the second dose being the booster. Immunity moves in just after the
first dose but reaches its full effect seven days after the second dose.
As vaccine requires very low temperature, it
becomes difficult for distribution. Special shipping containers that have uses
dry ice will be used to transport frozen vials direct to the point of vaccination,
Pfizer says.
With 100 million doses to U.S. in March deal by the pharmaceutical
company, the additional 200 million doses of a second vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of
Health will be provided by June. Although these vaccines are seeking approval
in the United States of America.
Written by – Peter Fernandes
Edited by – Adrija Saha
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