TAMPA, Fla- — Frontline healthcare workers at Moffitt Cancer Center received the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, December 17.
The Moffitt Center says about 500 doses of the vaccine are on the way from Tampa General Hospital.
Michelle Rau, a registered nurse at Moffitt, received the vaccine.
"I work on a cancer floor here at Moffitt. My patients are very brave. They all do clinical trials. I thought, I got to come out here and get this for them so we can make the world a safer place," said Rau.
Rau said her daughter had contracted COVID-19 and recovered.
"My 18-year-old daughter had it and she didn't have it for very long. She has antibodies and she's giving plasma to help those who are sick in the hospital," said Rau.
On December 17, A panel of independent experts voted to recommend Moderna's vaccine for emergency authorization.
The committee's recommendation goes to the FDA which will finalize a decision about emergency authorization. If approved, vaccines could be shipped as early as this weekend.
"We're going to get 367,000 shipments of Moderna doses. I would say it's 99%, they're going to get the emergency use authorization issued by Friday night," Governor Ron DeSantis said during a press conference.
Residents and employees at Woodlands Village in Bradenton expect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The community is owned and operated by Holiday Retirement.
Residents and employees will receive a two-part vaccine. It will be administered by a CVS team at an on-site clinic.
"We have gone through a lot the past 9 months. We worked very diligently to keep them safe, follow all protocols, but I think this is a great opportunity for them to have control over their health and wellness as well," said Marissa Vazquez, Executive Director of Woodlands Village.
The following is attributed to FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., and Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
"Following today’s positive advisory committee meeting outcome regarding the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed the sponsor that it will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. The agency has also notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Operation Warp Speed, so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution."
