US COVID-19 vaccine program head Moncef Slaoui said it was most likely the first Moderna vaccine shot, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Friday, would be given on Monday morning. The US government plans to deliver 5.9 million Moderna shots and 2 million Pfizer shots this week. Data from CDC shows 2.84 million doses have been distributed and 556,208 shots administered thus far. Some states are choosing to use Moderna's shots for harder-to-reach rural areas because they can be stored for 30 days in standard-temperature refrigerators. Programs by pharmacies Walgreens and CVS to distribute the Pfizer vaccine to long-term care facilities are expected to start on Monday.

Source: bd News24 December 20, 2020 22:30 UTC