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Las Vegas preparing for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine approval

Posted at 9:39 PM, Dec 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-10 09:51:48-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The United States could be just hours away from the first COVID-19 vaccine being approved with Nevada anticipating its arrival later this month.

Pfizer’s public hearing with the Federal Drug and Food Administration is scheduled for Thursday, and if approved the first doses could ship as early as Friday.

Nevada officials have said they are anticipating the arrival of that vaccine in late December. With more than 164,000 doses going to hospital staff, nursing facility staff/residents and others in tier one.

RELATED: Nevada Gov. Sisolak: COVID-19 vaccinations could be available by mid-December

The allocation would include both the 91,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 72,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

“Scientists have worked around the clock for the past six-eight months looking into the safety and efficacy of this vaccine development and side effects,” said Dr. Manas Mandal, with Roseman University.

Dr. Mandal has spent years as a vaccine researcher by studying all facets of disease response and treatment.

“I was involved in viral vaccine development, immune response, antibody responses,” said Dr. Mandal.

RELATED: Largest, most complex logistical vaccination effort in American history to begin

When the initial thoughts of a coronavirus vaccine were in its infancy months ago, Dr. Mandal began his work.

“I gave a few webinars on this infection, detection treatment aspects, and that's where it all began"

And Las Vegas is also preparing for the vaccine.

UNLV can hold up to 50,000 Pfizer vaccine doses inside their new medical-grade freezer.

Pfizer’s vaccine must be kept at sub-zero temperatures.

“This is a safe vaccine, this is designed to save lives and there shouldn’t be any hesitation to take this,” said Dr. Mandal.

FORCED SHOTS: Can Nevada employers require workers to get COVID-19 vaccines?

Moderna says their FDA hearing will be on Dec. 17 and the vaccine is more than 94% effective, according to data in their Phase 3 trial.

Another promising COVID-19 treatment has been plasma donated from those who have fought COVID-19 and have antibodies in their blood.

Just one donation can help up to four patients.

The American Red Cross reported that convalescent plasma donations have increased 250% between September and November.

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