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The issue is not who gets the vaccine, but whether to hold the second doses in reserve or distribute them as first doses and use later-arriving doses as second
by paulgb 6y ago
The issue is not who gets the vaccine, but whether to hold the second doses in reserve or distribute them as first doses and use later-arriving doses as second doses. The former has the obvious advantage of vaccinating more people quickly, but runs the risk that if the second doses don’t arrive on time the effects of the first dose will wear off.
Edit: I originally used the phrase “back to square one” but I agree with replies that it’s the wrong phrase.
- sanxiyn 6y agoWhy is one "back to square one"? Pfizer vaccine schedule is the second dose at 21 days after the first dose, but as I understand, in theory, the second dose after a month, or even two months, should work equally well (except obviously reduced protection in between).
- JoeAltmaier 6y agoSure it is about who gets it. Saved for 2nd doses for critical workers, or distributed to those further down the list now.
- newen 6y agoThe first dose is already 50% effective, so you are not back to square one. The second dose also doesn't necessarily need to arrive precisely on time.