Key Takeaways

Redfield made his projection in a Senate panel on Wednesday.

The timeline he outlined relies on the first COVID-19 vaccinations being administered in November or December of this year, but in a limited scope. According to the CDC’sCOVID-19 Vaccination Plan Interim Playbook, healthcare workers, high-risk individuals, and other essential employees will receive the first dosages when they’re available.

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William Li, MD, a physician-scientist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, tells Verywell that Redfield’s timeline, albeit optimistic, is at least in line with current developments of the vaccine production process.

“The expectation is that the results of clinical trials of the first vaccines will be available late fall,” he says.

If the results of clinical trials check the two required boxes for production—effective and safe—then they can begin to be distributed quickly afterward.

What This Means For YouThe CDC and other health officials will continue to make statements about vaccine distribution as the clinical trials of vaccines proceed. Once a vaccine is able to pass Phase Three testing, distribution schedules and recipients will be finalized.

What This Means For You

The CDC and other health officials will continue to make statements about vaccine distribution as the clinical trials of vaccines proceed. Once a vaccine is able to pass Phase Three testing, distribution schedules and recipients will be finalized.

Factors Influencing the CDC Timeline

William Schaffner, MD, a professor in the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University, tells Verywell he has concerns that the rush for a solution may supersede the thorough collection of the clinical data.

“The issue would come up if people wish to make an early judgment before the trial had completely run its course,” he says. “If a recommendation is made before the clinical trials are fully complete, that would engender at least some scientific and public health controversy.”

Schaffner says the current political climate, with the country a little over a month away from a pivotal general election, may be impacting some of the projected timelines. Specifically, President Trump may be pressuring the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a fast-tracked timeline during his current political term.

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Schaffner tells Verywell he believes the American public can be convinced—but only if the information is coming from the right sources.

“I would think it’s very important that the politicians stand back, no matter who the politicians are, and let the public health authorities speak in their quiet, steady, science-based fashion,” he says.

Li echoes this view, remaining confident opinions will change as vaccines begin to become a reality.

“I believe people will be willing to be vaccinated," he says. “Vaccines are truly the only way to restore the sense of normalcy that everyone is craving.”

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tyson A, Johnson C, Funk C. Pew Research Center.U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether to Get COVID-19 Vaccine.

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tyson A, Johnson C, Funk C. Pew Research Center.U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether to Get COVID-19 Vaccine.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tyson A, Johnson C, Funk C. Pew Research Center.U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether to Get COVID-19 Vaccine.

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