Moderna seeks emergency use authorisation for vaccine, as pharmacies set for distribution

*We believe that our vaccine will provide a new and powerful tool that may change the course of this pandemic and help prevent severe disease, hospitalisations and death ─ Moderna CEO

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect.

As the global community awaits the production and distribution of vaccines against Coronavirus, pharmaceutical manufacturer Moderna has disclosed that it would apply for emergency use authorisation (EUA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine.

The drug maker Monday revealed that if all goes according to plan, and approval is given, the first injections may be administered as early as Monday, December 21, 2020.

Recall that Moderna claims that its vaccine had a success rate of 94.1 percent in a Phase 3 study that assessed 196 actual cases of COVID-19.

Report indicates the results of that study closely mirror the analysis of data published earlier in the month that found the vaccine to be 94.5 percent effective.

The performance of the vaccine was also impressive in individual categories, according to report.

A Senior Woman Getting Vaccine Shot   Photo: Getty Images

It was learnt that against severe COVID-19, the vaccine registered a 100 percent success rate.

Similarly, efficacy was also said to be consistent across age, race, ethnicity, and gender demographics.

The 196 cases included 33 older adults (aged 65+) and 42 participants who identify as a member of a “diverse community.”

This included members that were Hispanic or LatinX, Black or African American, Asian American, and multiracial.

Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, said: “We believe that our vaccine will provide a new and powerful tool that may change the course of this pandemic and help prevent severe disease, hospitalisations and death.”

However, there are concerns that whether it’s Moderna’s vaccine or any of the other vaccines created by its peers, getting ready to distribute a treatment is reportedly one of the next big steps.

It was gathered that major pharmacies across the country stated  that they’re already preparing to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine and, once it’s available, people should be able to get it at their neighborhood supermarket or drugstore.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is already on the case, working with Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, and others to become vaccination distribution centers, report said.

Various sources report that several pharmacy and grocery chains have begun training staff and securing large refrigeration units to become vaccination centers.

ConsumerConnect learnt that Dr. Troyen Brennan, chief health officer at CVS Health, believes the pharmacy will administer the COVID-19 vaccine to as many as 20 million people in the US.

Brennan said: “With approximately 70 percent of the US population living within three miles of a CVS Pharmacy, we’ll be easy to reach when a vaccine is authorised by the FDA and becomes available in retail settings.

“Our pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and pharmacy technicians have been an invaluable community resource since the pandemic began and are ready to play a critical role in the vaccination effort.”

Albertsons and its subsidiaries

Albertsons supermarkets will also be a vaccine distribution point.

The company operates more than 1,700 pharmacy locations nationwide, including those in Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs stores.

Omer Gajial, Senior Vice President of Albertsons Companies Pharmacy and Health also said: “Throughout this pandemic, our pharmacy teams have been on the front lines, offering care and health solutions for our communities.

“When a vaccine is ready, our pharmacists will play a critical role in administering this important public health service.”

No matter where you get the vaccine, there should be no cost to the consumer, he assured.

The US Government will pay the cost for uninsured people.

There will be some paperwork to complete before receiving the shot.

Albertsons says consumers will find contactless consent forms for the vaccine in the company’s pharmacy apps.

By completing the necessary paperwork electronically ahead of time, patients can reduce the amount of time spent in the pharmacy.

Meanwhile, below is the list of participating retailers, provided by HHS.

More locations may be added when one or more vaccines are approved, report stated:

1. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (incl., Osco, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Albertsons Market, Safeway, Tom Thumb, Star Market, Shaws, Haggen, Acme, Randalls, Carrs, Market Street, United, Vons, Pavilions, Amigos, Lucky’s, Pak n Save, Sav-On)
2. Costco Wholesale Corp.
3. CPESN USA, LLC
4. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (incl. Long’s)
5. Good Neighbor Pharmacy and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation’s PSAO, Elevate Provider
6. Health Mart Systems, Inc.
7. H-E-B, LP
8. Hy-Vee, Inc.
9. LeaderNET and Medicine Shoppe, Cardinal Health’s PSAOs
10. Managed Health Care Associates (MHA)
11. Meijer Inc.
12. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
13. Retail Business Services, LLC (incl., Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Bros Co, Stop & Shop)
14. Rite Aid Corp.
15. The Kroger Co. (including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Frys, Ralphs, King Soopers, Smiths, City Market, Dillons, Marianos, Pick-n-Save, Copps, Metro Market)
16. Topco Associates, LLC (incl. Big-Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Super One Pharmacy, FRESH by Brookshire’s Pharmacy, Coborn’s Pharmacy, Cash Wise Pharmacy, MarketPlace Pharmacy, Hartig Drug Company, King Kullen, Food City Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Pharmacies, Save Mart Pharmacies, Lucky Pharmacies, SpartanNash, Price Chopper, Market 32, Tops Friendly Markets, ShopRite, Wegmans, Weis Markets, Acme Fresh Markets)
17. Walgreens (incl. Duane Reade)
18. Walmart, Inc. (incl. Sam’s Club)
19. Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (incl. Winn-Dixie, Harveys, Fresco Y Mas)

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