PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Health Department has updated its different phases of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, a move that's been expected as it brings the state in line with the CDC's recommendations. State officials are also weighing in on a possible change to how the federal government is sending out the vaccine.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots a few weeks apart. Currently, Operation Warp Speed, the federal program behind vaccine distribution, puts aside the second dose for each vaccine it ships.
But Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said the Biden administration, in an effort to speed up vaccinations, is considering sending out all the vaccines when it's ready, rather than holding that second dose.
"They're going to use the Defense Production Act and other means to make sure the supply is effective," Wolf said.
State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said they're still following CDC and FDA guidance that two shots are still administered according to the timeline they were tested during trials.
"What the Biden administration is saying is that they have complete confidence in the manufacturing and distribution system of Moderna, Pfizer, and Operation Warp Speed, that that second dose will be available when it's necessary," Levine said.
The Pfizer vaccine calls for the second dose 21 days later, while the Moderna vaccine calls for it after 28 days.
Levine said hospitals and health systems should not be holding back half their supply on their own, but to her knowledge, no hospital in Pennsylvania is doing that.
