CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State officials have announced they have completed its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan and submitted the plan to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for their review and approval.
Gov. Jim Justice said during his press briefing Friday that the plan was submitted that day.
Justice said that once a vaccine is ready, the state’s medical experts will be prepared to review data on its safety.
“Through all the federal people who I am talking about, from the White House on down. Those people have all guns turned on to be able to get our population vaccinated and vaccinated quickly,” Justice said.
Justice said during the briefing the country would be “really lucky” if a vaccine was out before the end of the year.
Dr. Clay Marsh, state COVID-19 czar said that he does not expect a vaccine out for complete commercial use until mid-2021.
“Depending on when the first doses come out, hopefully in the first quarter of 2021 or so, then you’ll bee by the next quarter more people getting vaccinated. Then eventually things will be completely distributed,” Marsh said.
Dr. Ayne Amjad, the state public health officer said the vaccine would go to the vulnerable population first.
“The first ones will be the healthcare workers working directly with patients. The next ones will be the most vulnerable populations like nursing homes. That type of demographic,” she said.