Fauci says first U.S. COVID-19 vaccines could ship late December or early January

[webfact]

Fauci says first U.S. COVID-19 vaccines could ship late December or early January

By Julie Steenhuysen

 

FILE PHOTO: Anthony Fauci, MD, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, testifies during a U.S. Senate Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19, focusing on an update on the federal response at the U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C., U.S., September 23, 2020. Graeme Jennings/Pool via REUTERS

 

CHICAGO (Reuters) - If all goes well, the first doses of a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine will likely become available to some high-risk Americans in late December or early January, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, said on Thursday.

 

Based on current projections from vaccine front-runners Moderna Inc <MRNA.O> and Pfizer Inc <PFE.N>, Americans will likely know "sometime in December whether or not we have a safe and effective vaccine," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a live chat on Twitter and Facebook.

 

"The first interim look (at trial results) should be, we hope, within the next few weeks," he said.

 

Both companies started the final stage of clinical testing in late July with tens of thousands of people taking part in each trial.

 

Moderna earlier on Thursday said it was on track to deliver interim data from its large, late-stage trial next month.

 

Pfizer, which was expected to announce interim data in October, is now unlikely to release data before November, probably after the Nov 3. U.S. presidential election.

 

The data will then need to be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will make recommendations on who gets the first doses if the trials prove successful.

 

Practically speaking, Fauci said, the first vaccine doses would likely be deployed to individuals deemed most in need "by the end of December or the beginning of January."

 

Fauci's comments were part of a conversation with Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, who took questions from listeners.

 

Even with an effective vaccine to protect against the virus, Fauci said it will take time to get back to something approaching normal as vaccine-induced immunity builds both nationally and globally. He said life will likely not get back to normal "until the end of 2021 at least."

 

In the interim, Collins urged Americans to be prepared to continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing.

 

"I know Americans are tired of these measures. Tired of wearing masks. Tired of not being able to congregate together," Collins said. "But we've got a long road yet to go."

 

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-30

 

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[Tug]

Let’s hope so that would be great!in the meantime follow safe protocols I’m thinking it will be next summer before things start to get back to normal 

[Pattaya Spotter]

You mean the vaccines that are at least 50% effective...anybody buying a car that starts 50% of the time?

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

You mean the vaccines that are at least 50% effective...anybody buying a car that starts 50% of the time?

Bad analogy.

For one thing, even if the vaccine is only 50% effective in preventing people from contracting covid, that will still lower its transmission rate. 

In addition, it could be, as is the case with flu, that being vaccinated will lessen the severity of the symptoms and improve outcomes.

[Brunolem]

And obviously the good doctor will be the first one to receive a shot, on live TV!

 

Preach by example...

[placeholder]

Just now, Brunolem said:

And obviously the good doctor will be the first one to receive a shot, on live TV!

 

Preach by example...

I get it. If he doesn't do it on TV that means he'd be lying? And of course, if he does do it on TV, the anti-vaccine loons won't be claiming that it wasn't really vaccine he was injected with.

[Eric Loh]

The timing seem right for the vaccination policy and program to be managed by a more competent science lead Biden. 

[darksidedog]

A post containing a link to a pseudo conspiracy site has been removed.

If you are going to post a link, please ensure that it is a credible source, or it will be removed.

[Proboscis]

5 hours ago, Brunolem said:

And obviously the good doctor will be the first one to receive a shot, on live TV!

 

Preach by example...

I cannot speak for the USA because the public health system is so chaotic and lacking in transparency there. But in other countries, such as the UK, there are plans regarding distribution of vaccine. Unlike the USA where it is said in excess of 40% are said to be so anti-vaccine that they will not avail of a vaccine, other developed countries with educated people are ready to queue up for a properly tested and vetted vaccine.

 

As regards your comment, the FIRST PEOPLE IN THE UK TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE WILL BE THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS) EMPLOYEES. Of course, if you come from the USA you may not have the concept of a NHS but the vast majority of citizens use it and it is paid for by the tax payers. When people get Covid-19, they are treated by the NHS. So, it makes sense to have the doctors and nurses of the NHS to get the vaccine first so that they are protected and will not transmit the virus to patients.

 

In an organized national public health system, it will take months for the vaccine to be distributed. This will be the largest public health initiative for every country. At best, in the UK it will probably take at least 6 months for the vaccine to be distributed to everyone.

 

For the USA, the problem will be that the lack of a public health system will make vaccination difficult. If 50% of the population remain unvaccinated, there will be no "herd immunity." THat means that the USA will continue to have covid-19 circulating and evolving, filling up emergency rooms and creating havoc with the economy.

As regards effectiveness of the vaccine, can I point you to the influenza vaccine that is taken by millions every year. The flu jab never guarantees anyone that they won't get the flu but it does reduce the probability of getting the flu by a huge amount and if a vaccinated person gets infected with the flu, the chances are that they will only suffer mild symptoms. If we can get to a similar situation with Covid-19, even if it means getting a jab every season, especially for those who have preconditions or who are over 50 along with the flu jab, the economy can return to normal and we can get on with our lives.

 

Remember, it is not about the government shutting down - citizens will stop using restaurants, hotels, planes, transport etc as they learn more about the virus and it affects someone in their orbit, such as a friend, co-worker or relative. And I am not just referring to mortality - plenty more patients get long term morbidities, what has been called "long covid." This is where people cannot work because of symptoms or conditions that last long after the infection is gone.

[Bluespunk]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

If all goes well, the first doses of a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine will likely become available to some high-risk Americans in late December or early January, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, said on Thursday.

Great news, should get the Biden Presidency off to a positive start...

Edited October 30, 2020 by Bluespunk

[CygnusX1]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Both companies started the final stage of clinical testing in late July with tens of thousands of people taking part in each trial.

Since these final stage trials have been going for this long, if the vaccines really are highly effective, there’d surely be enough preliminary data by now to allow their release for limited emergency use. Looks like effectiveness is going to be pretty much borderline.

[3NUMBAS]

its the last chance saloon for mankind to survive so have to work

[placeholder]

2 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

Since these final stage trials have been going for this long, if the vaccines really are highly effective, there’d surely be enough preliminary data by now to allow their release for limited emergency use. Looks like effectiveness is going to be pretty much borderline.

No. They have to complete tests for safety first.

[CygnusX1]

46 minutes ago, placeholder said:

No. They have to complete tests for safety first.

But even earlier phase trials tested for safety, so that would have been established before efficacy. Of course, complete safety can never be proved, maybe a vaccine will cause Alzheimer’s disease 50 years from now.

[placeholder]

Just now, CygnusX1 said:

But even earlier phase trials tested for safety, so that would have been established before efficacy. Of course, complete safety can never be proved, maybe a vaccine will cause Alzheimer’s disease 50 years from now.

They have their protocols. And should something go wrong, the want to be able to cover their posteriors.

[Yellowtail]

6 hours ago, Proboscis said:

I cannot speak for the USA because the public health system is so chaotic and lacking in transparency there. But in other countries, such as the UK, there are plans regarding distribution of vaccine. Unlike the USA where it is said in excess of 40% are said to be so anti-vaccine that they will not avail of a vaccine, other developed countries with educated people are ready to queue up for a properly tested and vetted vaccine.

 

As regards your comment, the FIRST PEOPLE IN THE UK TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE WILL BE THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS) EMPLOYEES. Of course, if you come from the USA you may not have the concept of a NHS but the vast majority of citizens use it and it is paid for by the tax payers. When people get Covid-19, they are treated by the NHS. So, it makes sense to have the doctors and nurses of the NHS to get the vaccine first so that they are protected and will not transmit the virus to patients.

 

In an organized national public health system, it will take months for the vaccine to be distributed. This will be the largest public health initiative for every country. At best, in the UK it will probably take at least 6 months for the vaccine to be distributed to everyone.

 

For the USA, the problem will be that the lack of a public health system will make vaccination difficult. If 50% of the population remain unvaccinated, there will be no "herd immunity." THat means that the USA will continue to have covid-19 circulating and evolving, filling up emergency rooms and creating havoc with the economy.

As regards effectiveness of the vaccine, can I point you to the influenza vaccine that is taken by millions every year. The flu jab never guarantees anyone that they won't get the flu but it does reduce the probability of getting the flu by a huge amount and if a vaccinated person gets infected with the flu, the chances are that they will only suffer mild symptoms. If we can get to a similar situation with Covid-19, even if it means getting a jab every season, especially for those who have preconditions or who are over 50 along with the flu jab, the economy can return to normal and we can get on with our lives.

 

Remember, it is not about the government shutting down - citizens will stop using restaurants, hotels, planes, transport etc as they learn more about the virus and it affects someone in their orbit, such as a friend, co-worker or relative. And I am not just referring to mortality - plenty more patients get long term morbidities, what has been called "long covid." This is where people cannot work because of symptoms or conditions that last long after the infection is gone.

 

So when is the UK's vaccine supposed to be ready? 

[Yellowtail]

13 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

You mean the vaccines that are at least 50% effective...anybody buying a car that starts 50% of the time?

 

If the choice is between a car that starts 50% of the time, or no car, I'll go with one that starts 50% of the time. If it doesn't start the first time, just try it again. 

 

But you can go ahead and walk....

[Scott]

A post containing false or misleading information has been removed. 

 

[rosst]

On 10/30/2020 at 4:02 PM, Proboscis said:

I cannot speak for the USA because the public health system is so chaotic and lacking in transparency there. But in other countries, such as the UK, there are plans regarding distribution of vaccine. Unlike the USA where it is said in excess of 40% are said to be so anti-vaccine that they will not avail of a vaccine, other developed countries with educated people are ready to queue up for a properly tested and vetted vaccine.

 

As regards your comment, the FIRST PEOPLE IN THE UK TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE WILL BE THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS) EMPLOYEES. Of course, if you come from the USA you may not have the concept of a NHS but the vast majority of citizens use it and it is paid for by the tax payers. When people get Covid-19, they are treated by the NHS. So, it makes sense to have the doctors and nurses of the NHS to get the vaccine first so that they are protected and will not transmit the virus to patients.

 

In an organized national public health system, it will take months for the vaccine to be distributed. This will be the largest public health initiative for every country. At best, in the UK it will probably take at least 6 months for the vaccine to be distributed to everyone.

 

For the USA, the problem will be that the lack of a public health system will make vaccination difficult. If 50% of the population remain unvaccinated, there will be no "herd immunity." THat means that the USA will continue to have covid-19 circulating and evolving, filling up emergency rooms and creating havoc with the economy.

As regards effectiveness of the vaccine, can I point you to the influenza vaccine that is taken by millions every year. The flu jab never guarantees anyone that they won't get the flu but it does reduce the probability of getting the flu by a huge amount and if a vaccinated person gets infected with the flu, the chances are that they will only suffer mild symptoms. If we can get to a similar situation with Covid-19, even if it means getting a jab every season, especially for those who have preconditions or who are over 50 along with the flu jab, the economy can return to normal and we can get on with our lives.

 

Remember, it is not about the government shutting down - citizens will stop using restaurants, hotels, planes, transport etc as they learn more about the virus and it affects someone in their orbit, such as a friend, co-worker or relative. And I am not just referring to mortality - plenty more patients get long term morbidities, what has been called "long covid." This is where people cannot work because of symptoms or conditions that last long after the infection is gone.

Intelligent and articulated comments even if you are a Pom. 

I believe your assessment is pretty right and I expect Australia to be a similar situation. 

My only disappointment is the lack of focus on an effective treatment protocol. 

[Proboscis]

14 hours ago, rosst said:

Intelligent and articulated comments even if you are a Pom. 

I believe your assessment is pretty right and I expect Australia to be a similar situation. 

My only disappointment is the lack of focus on an effective treatment protocol. 

One small point - I am not British (Pom).