JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the US Food and Drug Administration gets ready to review Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Thursday, some doctors are urging people to stay vigilant despite the promising news of a vaccine.
“It’s almost like a football game, we’re almost at the end of this fight against the virus but we need to get over that finish,” explained Dr. Mohammed Reza, an infectious disease specialist in Northeast Florida.
According to state leaders, residents in long-term care facilities will be the first to receive the vaccine once approved, followed by high-risk healthcare workers and those older than 65. Dr. Reza said it could be several months before the general population has access to it.
“We need to stay vigilant and do all the things we need to do, wearing that face mask, not gathering in small or large gatherings because we know that this virus is being transmitted even in small gatherings,” said Dr. Reza. “We want to be keeping those that you love safe from this virus and also because we see that light at the end of the tunnel.”
Dr. Reza stressed the importance of following the safety guidelines in place to protect yourself and others, especially the most vulnerable.
“Right now, as we have noticed in Northeast Florida, the temperatures have gone down to low 30s so it’s cool and all the windows and doors are closed and that’s where this virus flourishes,” explained Dr. Reza. “It’s that human to human interaction so as much as we can limit that as well as wearing that face mask, it will save lives.”