Another vaccine nearing approval marks another step forward in the fight against COVID-19.
An advisory panel said yes to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, as the U.S. waits for the final FDA word.
"As I came up in the elevator to come here for this meeting, I passed the pharmacist who was transporting materials into the room where we are going to be giving the vaccine next week. So, we will, if everything goes as scheduled, we will receive the vaccine on Tuesday," said Dr. Mark Herbert an Infectious Disease Specialist with the Mount Carmel Medical Group.
Pending emergency approval, Dr. Herbert said they could start administering the Moderna vaccine that same day, Tuesday.
"I am first in line at Mt. Carmel to get the vaccine Tuesday at 6 p.m., and my partner in practice, she is second in line. And we have a team of 15 people. Each has been selected as an individual representing healthcare workers that are in COVID patient rooms every day," he said.
He says those first 15 all represent different kinds of employees who go into the rooms of COVID-19 patients.
"Then we will make it available to all employees who have direct patient contact with COVID patients," said Dr. Herbert.
Dr. Herbert said both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work in the same fashion. They are both messenger RNA vaccines.
But, there is a big difference.
"The Pfizer vaccine requires extremely cold storage, whereas the Moderna vaccine requires normal freezer type storage," he said. "...I think the Moderna vaccine is going to be able to travel to more sites than the Pfizer vaccine was able to transfer to initially."
He believes having multiple vaccines makes for a stronger system.
"Receiving the vaccine and having it available to administer is a huge deal. It is really the first step in tackling this pandemic and knocking it out," said Dr. Herbert.
Among healthcare workers, Dr. Herbert said there is a level of excitement, one he clearly shares.
"I have my FDA Twitter feed set for notifications and I will know as soon as it has been approved and I know where I will be Tuesday at 6 p.m.," he said.
ABC6/FOX28 will continue following this developing story.