Rhode Island Selected For Coronavirus Vaccine Pilot Program

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is one of four states selected by Pfizer for a pilot program for its coronavirus vaccine, helping the company prepare its national distribution plan.

The other states selected for the program are Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee. The four states were selected because of their varying size, diversity of population and immunization infrastructure, the company said.

"This pilot program and our collaboration with U.S. and state officials will help us prepare for broader vaccine deployment in the near future, subject to authorization or approval, as we work to address this urgent public health need," said Angela Hwang, group president at Pfizer. "We are hopeful that results from this vaccine delivery pilot will serve as the model for other U.S. states and international governments, as they prepare to implement effective COVID-19 vaccine programs."

None of the four states will receive vaccine doses earlier than the rest of the country, the company said.

Pfizer is working with the government's Operation Warp Speed group and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention to prepare for distribution of the vaccine should it be approved. The company's vaccine is one of several trials, which officials said could be available to the public in the coming weeks or months.

As the country waits for the approval of a coronavirus vaccine, Rhode Island is preparing, making sure everything is ready to go as soon as one becomes available, Gov. Gina Raimondo said. A task force was created to develop a system for independently verifying a vaccine's safety, as well as form a distribution plan. Once a vaccine is available, it will be given to Rhode Islanders in stages, the governor said, starting with those most at risk, including health care workers, nursing home residents and those with underlying health conditions.

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