HHS, DOD outline COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy

Editor's Note

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DOD) on September 16 released two documents outlining a detailed strategy for delivering safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses to the American people as quickly and reliably as possible.

The documents, which were developed in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provide a strategic distribution overview along with an interim playbook for state, tribal, territorial, and local public health programs on how to operationalize a vaccination response in their jurisdictions.

In August, the CDC executed an existing contract option with McKesson Corporation to support vaccine distribution. The company also distributed the H1N1 vaccine in 2009 and 2010.

As soon as the Food and Drug Administration authorizes or approves a vaccine, the CDC will make recommendations on who should receive the initial doses.