Operation Warp Speed will hold back initial shipments to ensure two-dose regimens can be completed; 15 December is ‘chalk’ target date for emergency authorization of Pfizer vaccine, OWS’ Gustave Perna says, calling it only a projection that does not impinge on FDA authority. Sending only half shipments also eases burden on cold shortage capacity at state and local level, he says.

Azar says ACIP’s prioritization recommendations should carry weight, but states will be final arbiter of who is vaccinated.

Pfizer and BioNTech have accumulated enough safety data to submit an emergency use authorization, and Pfizer CEO Bourla says at the Stat Summit that he is ‘comfortable’ US distribution of the vaccine will go well despite the unusually complicated government transition.