The coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, infecting more than 31 million people all over the world to date. In the U.S. alone, over 6.9 million cases have been reported, with the death toll surpassing 200,000.
Many continue to adjust to the new normal – wearing masks, social distancing, and frequently sanitizing hands have become part of everyday routine. But just how long do we have to keep on doing this?
Health experts have noted that one way the virus can be stopped in its tracks is when herd immunity occurs – this is when enough people (around 60% or 70% of the population) develop an immune response, either through previous infection or vaccination. If the virus can’t find susceptible hosts to infect, it won’t be able to spread easily. This is the ultimate goal of a vaccine.
The race to find a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus – the virus that causes COVID-19 – continues at an unprecedented rate. There are over 100 vaccines in development around the world, with several in various phases of human trials. Three companies are beginning Phase 3 of clinical trials in the U.S.: AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer/BioNTech.
Earlier this month, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention sent out documents asking states to prepare for a possible distribution of a potential coronavirus vaccine as early as late October. However, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has said that the guidance is “just in case.”
At a Senate committee hearing Wednesday (September 23), Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that 700 million doses of such a vaccine could be ready by late March or April – two shots are expected to be necessary for the vaccine to become effective.
But availability is one thing – and rolling out the vaccines is another matter entirely.
“To how long I felt it would take to get those 700 million doses into the American public and complete the vaccine process … I think that’s going to take us April, May, June, possibly July, to get the entire American public completely vaccinated,” Dr. Redfield said.
He also stresses the importance of wearing masks. Since a vaccine is not yet available, masks are an important tool to combat the spread of the virus. He also noted not everyone who gets vaccinated against the virus will develop an immune response against it – and masks could offer that extra layer of protection.
Last week, Dr. Redfield made similar remarks when addressing the possibility of a vaccine being available later this year at another Senate committee hearing.
He told the Senate Appropriations committee that a COVID-19 vaccine might be ready in November or December, however it will be in “very limited supply” and “will have to be prioritized.”
“It will be those first responders and those at greatest risk for death, and then eventually that will expand,” he said.
“If you’re asking me when is it going to be generally available to the American public, so we can begin to take advantage of vaccine to get back to our regular life, I think we’re probably looking at third, late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”
