FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent guidance to states and large cities last week, detailing scenarios where a vaccine would be distributed starting in late October.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Beshear doubts a vaccine will be ready in the next couple of months

  • He disputes a recent report by the CDC saying a vaccine would be available

  • Dr. Steven Stack agrees with Beshear

  • Three pharmaceutical companies are in Phase 3 trials with vaccines

Gov. Andy Beshear says he doesn’t believe a vaccine will be ready by then.

“We do not see any scenario where, in late October or early November, there’s a vaccine,” Beshear said. “It has nothing to do with an election; It has to do with how long it takes to get a vaccine.”

The guidance doesn’t specify which vaccine would become available but says up to 3 million doses may be available in late October.

Vaccines would be prioritized for health care professionals, essential workers, national security employees, and long-term care facility residents and staff.

Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack also cast doubt on a vaccine being ready by late October.

“There are some really good and incredible things that have been done to accelerate the progression for how quickly we get a vaccine, but there are some corners that cannot be cut,” Stack said. “When you give a vaccine to a healthy person, you have to ensure that you are not going to take a healthy person and hurt them. Vaccines are incredibly safe, they are one of the modern miracles of medical science, and it’s imperative that they continue to be safe.”

At least three companies — AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer — have entered Phase 3 trials for their possible vaccines.

Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, have said recently a vaccine may be made available before those trials end if the data shows it works well.

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