Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Begins Nationwide One Day After US Approval

As COVID-19 Rapidly Spreads, Authorities Urge Wearing Masks

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The U.S. government has begun distributing the newly approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine nationwide. The U.S. has planned to distribute 20 million doses to state governments across the country by the end of the year.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 19th (local time), the U.S. government has started distributing the Moderna vaccine following the Pfizer vaccine through delivery companies FedEx and UPS. Lieutenant General Gustave Perna, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the 'Operation Warp Speed' team overseeing COVID-19 vaccine distribution and delivery, stated in a briefing, "The distribution of the Moderna vaccine has already begun," adding, "We are packaging and loading it."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on the 18th. The U.S. completed the delivery of 7.9 million doses in the first week of COVID-19 vaccinations alone.

Although vaccinations continue, the spread of COVID-19 is rapidly progressing.

According to the international statistics site Worldometer, the U.S. saw 254,680 new COVID-19 cases in a single day on the 18th, continuing the rapid spread. The death toll was recorded at 2,794.

U.S. health authorities are emphasizing preventive measures such as mask-wearing. General Perna compared COVID-19 prevention to American football, saying, "Every time we distribute vaccines, we can advance a few yards, but to win the game, defense (mask-wearing) is needed along with offense."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), also urged, "While vaccines play a crucial role in ending the pandemic, public health measures such as mask-wearing should not be abandoned until nearly everyone is vaccinated."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.