And i think were going to look back on this moment as a major turning point in this pandemic. It really is a remarkable scientific accomplishment. With covid19 on a rapid tear in the United States, states and hospitals around the country are reporting record high numbers of cases. Cases are coming out of the woodwork and they are very, very sick. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have to get through this tunnel. This is new day with Alisyn Camerota and john berman. We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is new day. It is monday, december 14th, 6 00 here in new york and its a big day. Today, the First Americans will get vaccinated against coronavirus. Trucks and cargo planes packed with nearly 3 million dose fanning out across the country. This is just 11 months after the first reported case in the United States. Of course, its not a moment too soon. More than 109,000 americans are hospitalized with the virus this morning. The death toll in america will surpass 300,000 people today. More than 31,000 americans have died in just the past two weeks. Also, it is the first monday after the second wednesday in december, and you know what that means, kids . Oh, its Electoral College day . Its Electoral College day. What did you get me . i got you 538 electors meeting in capitals all around the country to cast their official votes for president. We will watch this distinct ceremonial and frankly bizarre process unfold all day right here on cnn. Joe biden will win, again, just as he did on election day, just as he did in the Supreme Court on friday. So in some ways, this is a formality when the eelectors the actually cast their votes. It is a hugely important moment historically and constitutionally. And it will provide senior republicans, many of whom have stoked undemocratic, dangerous conspiracy theories, perhaps their best chance to acknowledge the reality of joe bidens victory. Well see if they stop lying today. The Michigan House and Senate Offices are closed today, because of Credible Threats of violence over all of this. Now, in the face of all of these developments, president elect joe biden plans to address the nation tonight. We begin, though, with his historic moment on vaccines, people will start getting shots today. Cnns martin vasavidge live at Ohio State University hospital in columbus with that. Good morning, mar the u. N. Good morning to you, john. This news could not come at a much more needed time, as many hospitals in states across this country are reporting record new numbers of coronavirus cases, and of course, deaths. This pandemic, in many states, is now at its worst point ever, but finally, hope. 11 months after the United States recorded its first coronavirus case, the longawaited vaccine issen i on way. This morning, shipments of the Pfizer Biontech vaccines are making their way across the country after clearing the final hurdle from the cdc overnight and vaccinations are expected in some parts of the u. S. As early as today. I couldnt be more confident in the distribution of the vaccination. Weve worked incredibly hard over many months doing test shipments, improving our shippers, making sure they can maintain temperature during the entire journey. Workers in michigan applauding as the first vaccines were loaded on to trucks. Nearly 3 million doses of the vaccine are to be packed into cargo planes and flown out of kalamazoo, michigan. And u. P. S. And fedex will be delivering the vaccines to all 50 states. Hospitals racing to prepare for their arrival and states will have to determine who will be vaccinated first. Fda commissioner steven hahn giving this warning and recommending americans with allergies read product labeling. If you have an allergy to any component of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine, you should not receive it. We also said that those environments where the places where the vaccine will be given, there should be the tools available to administer medications and support should someone have a severe reaction, allergic reaction. Reporter this coming as the United States on more than 100,000 coronavirus patients hospitalized for the 12th consecutive day. And so far this month, the u. S. Has recorded more than 31,000 deaths from the virus. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have to get through this tunnel. And we really would just implore everyone to hunker down in the meantime. Because otherwise, thousands of people are going to die every single day, on our way out of this very dark period. Reporter with the rollout underway, Health Officials are hoping americans can embrace the vaccine to get back to normal, while cautioning that it may take time. Unfortunately, there was so much Politics Around in the context of developing these vaccines that theres been a confusion between how thorough and scientific and factual the work that has been done is, and the perception that people are taking, if we cut corners or anything like that, i can guarantee you that no such things have happened. The first doses of this vaccine are expected here at the Ohio State Medical Center arriving shortly after 9 00 this morning. And they hope within an hour to an hour and a half of that arrival to begin the first vaccines of 20 to 30 already selected Front Line Health Care workers. Yesterday, i talked to some other Health Care Workers about the vaccine and they actually broke down and choked up as they spo spoke. This pandemic has been so bad and this vaccine means so much, you cannot overat a time that, with john. It is pushing so many people to the brink, which is why its so emotional for these front line workers. Today is a turning point. The beginning of the end. Just the beginning, the fights not over, but it is such a key moment. Thanks so much for being with us. Yeah. So these vaccines will arrive in all 50 states today. Cnns pete muntean live at the pfizer plant in michigan where they were all shipped from, and youve had this incredible Vantage Point over the last few days. What a moment here, john, especially considering the fact that we first learned about this virus only about a year ago. And now the vaccine is leaving from here. U. P. S. And fedex trucks carrying the Pfizer Vaccine rolled out of here 8 30 yesterday morning, onboard 189 boxes of the vaccine, about a thousand vials to each box. That means about a million doses are now going to all 50 states. Operation warp speed says 600 individual locals. Places like hospitals and pharmacies, cvs and walgreens. We know that the deliveries start this morning. The bulk of the deliveries really, tomorrow morning. Pfizer says months of planning, months of dry runs and preparation went into this major achievement. Seeing these trucks go by, it just gave you a thrill to know that we are helping the world. Friday night, when i got the news over our phones, i actually got a tear in my eye, because this is so, so exciting. This is history being made, right here in call kalamazoo co. Its going to take some time, because you cant fix it overnight, but its certainly a step in the right direction. Reporter the trucks that were leaving here were escorted by u. S. Marshals, as they went to airports. You know, those vaccine flights which are arriving in many states today are getting priority clearance from air Traffic Controllers to move them more quickly through the air Traffic Control system. This is a massive movement, alisyn, and it all begins right here in michigan. It sure does, pete. Wow its just incredible to watch the enthusiasm and how happy people are that they were willing to pull this off. Thank you very much. Joining us now, cnn medical analyst, dr. Jonathan reiner, professor of medicine at george wl yoofrt a Washington University and dr. Abdul sayyed. Doctor reiner, tell us what youre thinking as you watch the doses of this vaccine fan out across the country . Im a little emotional, actually. I was thinking yesterday as i was driving in to do rounds about a patient i took care a couple of months ago that had been in the hospital trying to recover from covid for four months. And he was finally discharged, so, you know, hes emblematic of resilience and seeing us now finally start to go on the offensive shows me how resilient this country is. You think about how magnificent this achievement is. This is akin to john f. Kennedy in 1962 saying that the u. S. Will go to the moon. And instead of it happening in seven years, it happens in 11 months. So im thrilled. We have a lot of work to do. The next few months are going to be very painful for this country, but now i know with certainty that were going to get through this. Theres a lot of work to do, but the skies are finally looking bright on the horizon. Its really poignant. Its an overwhelming achievement in the face of overwhelming loss. Weve lost so much over the last year, but overcome so much as well. And its just amazing to see. Its just amazing to see what science had been able to accomplish. And to think about what this will change over the next eight months. Thats right, john. This really is a medical marvel. I cant imagine, i remember sitting down, not that long ago, and reading about mrna and the idea that it could be used for a vaccine and now watching as weve created a vaccination, safe and effective, in less than a year since we even knew that a virus existed. But it is poignant today that we will cross 300,000 deaths on the same day that people will get their first vaccinations. And it is a reminder that all that has come before and all the work that we need to do to get to the end. And im also thinking about all of the folks on the ground, in all 50 states, in these 145 Different Centers who are doing the work of scrambling to make sure that we can get this safe and effective vaccine into peoples arms. And im thinking about the fact that though we have spent about 10 billion to develop this vaccine, weve really spent about 240 million to be able to do the all of the work of outreach and all of the work of logistic within states and cities to get this vaccine out. We need a lot more effort there, but the end is near. This is the beginning of the end. And it really is a moment to reflect and pause and to appreciate that we are nearing the end of this. But weve still got a lot more work to do. We do. And people obviously need to get the vaccine and well see, starting today, how that goes, if it can actually be distributed and, you know, injected into peoples arms successfully. And if people show up to get it and heres what dr. Frances collins of the nih director said in terms of the level that we need to get to to really be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Here he is yesterday. We need 70 to 80 of americans to be immune before this virus will basically give up and it will be gone. And we think we can get there by june or so, for almost all of the 330 million americans who are interested in getting this vaccine. But if only half of them do so, this could go on and on and on. Dr. Reiner, do you think june is realistic . I think its ambitious. And were ambitious people. Its going to take a lot of work. Theres also of vaccine resistance. Theres a lot of unnecessary concern about safety. Ive spoken to some docs who have maybe not wanted to be amongst the first to be vaccinat vaccinated vaccinated. I want to be vaccinated. Ill wait my turn and get vaccinated as soon as possible, but we need to educate people that this really is a safe vaccine. That although the manufacturers and the fda and the clinical trialists moved quickly, they did not rush. This is not a rushed vaccine. And we need a Massive Public health campaign, Public Education campaign to show folks just that. I understand the hhs is about to roll that out. Well see where that goes. But it starts in doctors offices. Every single time i see a patient in a clinic, i ask them if theyre going to take the Covid Vaccine when its available and we talk about safety. We talk about their concerns. This has to happen on the grassroots level. Our goal should be not vaccinating 70 to 80 of this country. Our goal should be vaccinated 1 100 of this country. Its an ambitious goal to do this by june, but i think we can do it. Look, i dont think theres anything wrong with asking the questions, but people should be very reassured by the answers about vaccine safety, particularly the safety around this vaccine and what the data has shown so far. To that end, dr. El sayyed, there was a mini controversy overnight where it was reported that white house staffers, senior white house staffers would be among the first to be vaccinated this week. President trump has backed off and said now they wont be first. Well figure out exactly when they go. Im not so sure its the controversy people think it is. I know theres probably a lot of people who were pointing fingers about the irony of this, noting that people around the president had been the ones not to wear masks and why should they get the vaccines when theyve been sort of tempting fate for so long by not Wearing Masks and not believing the science here. But, a, you want continuity of government and make sure that things can go on and we can fight this vaccine or virus with all the senior people we have. And number two, i think that americans should see or need to see as many people in power as possible endorsing the safety of this vaccine. Your view . Yeah, well, i will say this. It is important that we get folks at the very top of government vaccinated. Because at the end of the day, youre right. The multiple outbreaks that have occurred in the white house have been very disruptive to the work there. But at the same time, i can understand why people are upset. You have a white house that has at every turn pushed and peddled misinformation about this virus. And to watch them now get vaccinated against something they called a hoax, against something they said would just go away, is ironic. Now, that said, i do think youre right. I think we need everybody doing what they can to make sure that they are protecting themselves and their families. And that means getting a vaccine when its available. Weve got to make sure, though, that the attention right now is being paid, as dr. Reiner said, and as you spoke to, being paid to building a culture around what is very clear safety data. I spent several hours poring over the safety and efficacy data of this vaccine. It is remarkably safe. And aside from, you know, some pain at the injection site or maybe the malaise that youll get with your immune system kicking up to learn the code of this coronavirus, so that it can fight it, aside from that, it is extremely safe and very effective. And so we need everyone and anyone getting vaccinated when they can. And i think youre right, having that example from the white house is important. Dr. El sayyed, and dr. Reiner, thank both so much for being with us this im glad you get to watch this today along with the rest of us. Thank you. Coming up in our next hour, dr. Sanjay gupta will interview pfizers ceo live about this historic moment in the pandemic and whats next. So the Electoral College will make it official today. Joe biden is the next president. Let me be the first to tell you. Will republicans now accept the results . Thats next. Sofi made it so easy to pay off my student loan debt. chime choosing sofi was literally one of the best decisions i could have ever made because it gave me peace of mind. Who invented were car vending machines and buying a car 100 online. Now weve created a brandnew way for you to sell your car. Whether its a year old or a few years old. We wanna buy your car. So go to carvana and enter your license plate answer a few questions. And our techno wizardry calculates your cars value and gives you a real offer in seconds. When youre ready, well come to you, pay you on the spot and pick up your car, thats it. 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It is the first monday after the second wednesday in december, which by law, by law, means that 538 electors spanning 50 states in washington, d. C. , will meet in their respective states and they will formally vote on joe biden to become the next president of the United States. Joining us now, ana palmer, senior washington correspondent for politico and author of the politico playbook. Also with us, toluse olorunnipa, a White House Reporter for the Washington Post. So this is the day when the electors meet. By this bizarre quirk of the u. S. Constitution, these 538 people, theyre the runs who officially get to choose the president of the United States. News flash, its going to be joe biden, ana. But its significant. Even though as a formality, its significant this year, because it gives these republicans, who have been lying about the process so far, a chance it gives them an offramp. It gives them a chance to say, joe biden won, hes the president elect. W