DAVENPORT, Iowa — In laboratories across the country, there has been a race to produce a vaccine in record time. Two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have announced hopeful news about their vaccines this month.
"The best face to put on it is guardedly optimistic, but we need to see the data," said Dr. Louis Katz, an infectious disease expert.
Dr. Katz says there is more to learn, but once the FDA approves the vaccines there are plans in place to distribute them here.
"Everybody gets trained on how to handle the vaccines and how to give it, and who should get it, who can't get it," Dr. Katz said. "So that's all well in motion."
The federal government will put distribution into the hands of state and local health authorities.
"I think that all of us have been waiting for this really good news, but we just need you to hold on a little bit longer," said Rock Island County Health Department Chief Operating Officer Janet Hill.
Hill said the first doses could arrive as early as December, with critical health care workers, first responders and residents and staff of long-term care facilities first in line.
Later, drive thru clinics could pop up to distribute vaccines to the general public. The Rock Island County Health Department operated drive thru flu shot clinic in Milan in September which served as a test run for the COVID-19 vaccine.
But Hill says that is still months away.
"Before it's widely available to everyone, it could be late summer or early fall," Hill said.