The federal government Wednesday outlined a plan to make vaccines for COVID-19 available for free to all Americans.

"I think there will be vaccine that will initially be available sometime between November and December," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield.

Redfield addressed a Senate panel Wednesday laying out version 1.0 of the CDC's playbook on how to push out a COVID-19 vaccine when it's approved.

The vaccine, he says, would be free, adding they are working to ensure that's the case for all Medicare recipients and uninsured people, as well as anyone covered by insurance at their jobs.

Initially there may be a limited supply of vaccines so health care workers, essential employees and those at a higher risk for developing a severe illness will get the vaccine first.

States and local municipalities have a month to submit plans for receiving and distributing vaccines, some of which will require special handling.

According to the federal playbook, people will likely need two doses of a vaccine, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Recent News 12 polls have shown many people are unwilling to get a vaccine that they say is rushed. However, the CDC says most people won't have to make a decision for a while.

Redfield says the vaccine will probably be available to the general American public "at late second quarter, third quarter 2021."

Health and Human Services Director Alex Azar said Wednesday the vaccine development process is being driven completely by science and the data. This comes after critics accused the Trump administration of rushing the process to help President Donald Trump get re-elected.

For most vaccines, people will need two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. Any double dose vaccines will have to come from the same drugmaker.

There could be several vaccines from different manufacturers if approved and available.