COVID-19 vaccine gives hope as U.S. cases and deaths rise

The first COVID-19 vaccinations are underway at U.S. nursing homes.

This comes days after the FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife say they will publicly receive the vaccine on Friday, while president-elect Joe Biden says his team is putting together a plan for when he will get the shot.

Still, officials say it will likely be early to mid-2021 before the vaccine is readily accessible for most Americans.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration panel is set to meet on Thursday to discuss Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

It’s possible an emergency use authorization will be issued before the end of the week.