Edwards Covers Vaccine Distribution

Gov. John Bel Edwards was joined by a member of the White House’s Coroanvirus Task Force at a news conference yesterday to discuss Louisiana’s distribution plan for two COVID-19 vaccines once they are approved by the FDA. Admiral Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a native of the West Bank, outlined an extensive and detailed distribution plan. Giroir says the FDA is scheduled to hold an emergency approval hearing on the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer, which requires storage at sub-zero temperatures, next week. It is unclear how long the FDA will take to approve the vaccine. Giroir explained it could take less than 24 hours or much longer for approval. The federal agency will hold an emergency approval hearing on the vaccine manufactured by Moderna the following week.