Covid-19 vaccine could be available by end of year: US officials

DPA, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020 - US health officials on Wednesday expressed optimism that a vaccine to prevent Covid19 could be available in limited supply by the end of the year.

“I’m also optimistic that we will have a limited supply of one or more Covid vaccines available for distribution before the end of this year, but we’re not quite there yet,” Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said in a press conference, while urging people to remain vigilant in their effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus which causes the disease.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar also said that it is reasonable to expect to have one or two vaccines available by the end of the year to inoculate all of the country’s most vulnerable individuals.

“Then by the end of January we expect we’d have enough to vaccinate all seniors, as well as our healthcare workers and first responders,” azar said. “and by the end of March to early April, enough vaccines for all Americans who would want to take a vaccine.” these predictions are based on industry trends and do not guarantee that a vaccine will be available within this time frame. Officials are urging people to maintain social distance, wash their hands and use face coverings to prevent the spread of the virus.

The CDC also expanded its definition of “close contact” on Wednesday, saying that studies had shown that people could contract the virus after spending fewer than 15 minutes in proximity to an infected person.