Will COVID-19 vaccination sites be able to catch up with appointments delayed by the winter storm? An infectious disease doctor explains what to expect

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Sharon Nachman, the head of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital and the director of the Office of Clinical Trials, to answer your COVID-19 questions.

News 12 Staff

Feb 19, 2021, 5:22 PM

Updated 1,391 days ago

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News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Sharon Nachman, the head of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital and the director of the Office of Clinical Trials, to answer your COVID-19 questions.
Winter weather has disrupted many COVID-19 vaccination deliveries across the US. Will vaccination sites be able to catch up once they reopen again? Dr. Nachman says the amount of inoculations given is actually expected to increase soon once current sites and new sites are able to open.
The CEO of Pfizer shared new data demonstrating the stability of the vaccine in temperatures more commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers and refrigerators.  Dr. Nachman says this could be key to getting vaccinations more widely available.
Pfizer also shared new data showing that just one dose is 92.6% effective after two weeks. Meanwhile, Johnson and Johnson says its vaccine could have higher effectiveness when it is given in two doses. Dr. Nachman says either way, everyone getting one dose is the first step in creating community protection.
Pfizer launched a COVID-19 vaccine trial in pregnant women. What is the data that will be collected in this clinical trial? Dr. Nachman answers below.
Pfizer is undergoing COVID-19 vaccine trials in children. Dr. Nachman says Stony Brook is looking to get involved in these trials.
Is it possible that children are not spreading COVID-19 in schools? Dr. Nachman says there is still a risk.
Why do CDC guidelines say people with second COVID-19 doses no longer have to isolate if exposed only within a 12-week period? Dr. Nachman says this guideline all has to do with the amount of data currently available.
As COVID-19 vaccination appointments are getting pushed back due to the weather, is it safe to delay your second dose? Dr. Nachman says the delay will not change how effective the second dose is.
Are vaccination sites planning to remain open for 24 hours to relieve the backlog of appointments and supplies? Dr. Nachman says she expects this may be the case for many sites soon.