HUNTSVILLE, Ala — "Shots in arms, that is our goal. And we've worked tirelessly every day to make that happen," said General Gustave Perna, Operation Warp Speed COO .
The first round of vaccines was given to those who fight on the frontlines against COVID-19.
"Every week we plan on allocating vaccines based on releasable doses and every week we will work with the states to ensure that the vaccines are distributed to the locations that they direct us to, at the quantities they direct," said Perna.
Getting vaccines out is about to become easier as the Moderna vaccine is being prepared for distribution.
"Last night, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Moderna, and America, we are ready to distribute that vaccine, just as we did last week with Pfizer, we are prepared," said Perna. "Distribution of the Moderna vaccine has already begun."
There are a few differences between the two vaccines. One of the biggest is the way they must be stored.
"Moderna vaccine can be shipped and stored at standard freezer temperatures and is packed in containers of 100 doses each," said Perna.
Because the Moderna vaccine does not have to be stored in super cold temperatures like the Pfizer vaccine, it's more flexible in reaching more rural areas.
"This week, in total between Pfizer and Moderna, we have allocated 7.9 million doses of vaccine and we are ready for that distribution," said Perna.
Perna misspoke last week about the allocation of vaccines. He overestimated the number of doses he believed would be ready. This left many states wondering why they got fewer doses than expected.
"I take responsibility for the miscommunication. Here is the bottom line, I want to make sure that we are 100% committed to fair and equitable distribution to everybody in the United States of America," said Perna.