When could a COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Pittsburgh? And who will be able to get them first?

PITTSBURGH — Top doctors and health care leaders said a COVID-19 vaccine could be available in Pittsburgh by Christmas.

This is news our communities have been patiently waiting for since March, and a key piece of the puzzle in ending this pandemic.

“It could be soon into December that we first start to see vaccines arrive,” said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at UPMC.

Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines could be in the Steel City and ready for distribution in a matter of weeks.

And so far, these vaccines are showing promise.

“They’re exceeding expectations. The efficacy of these vaccines is higher than experts predicted,” Snyder said.

The timing is critical as our state surges. There were more than 6,400 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and a jaw-dropping prediction by the renowned University of Washington if we don’t slow the spread now.

“We could have up to 20k or more new patients every day,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “Very, very concerning modeling.”

When available, a COVID-19 vaccine will be rolled out in phases.

The first phase of people to have access are health care workers, first responders, essential workers and those over the age of 65.

The second phase includes people who are immunocompromised and those with existing health conditions.

The general population will be the third phase of folks to have access to the vaccine.

“If we learn the vaccine is more or less effective in older individuals, that may play a role in how vaccine is distributed,” Snyder said.

Doctors said we’ll still be wearing masks and social distancing well into 2021. Keep in mind there are 1.2 million people in Allegheny County alone. Also, Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require two doses four weeks apart.

“It’s going to take a lot of time to make a lot of doses of vaccine. The first couple coming out are two-dose vaccines,” Snyder said.

Doctors tell us with the data being so new, there are metrics they still need to learn that could change who is vaccinated first and where the rollout begins.

“It’s important that it’s effective in preventing disease. It’s also important that it’s effective in preventing contagiousness,” Snyder said.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said robust distribution plans are in place and have been for months.

The health department is working with nearby communities and the state to roll out a vaccine when the FDA gives the green light.

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Cox Media Group