US Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines Seems Unlikely, Fauci Says
The nation's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, said on Tuesday that he does not see the United States mandating a COVID-19 vaccine.
"I don't think you'll ever see a mandating of vaccine, particularly for the general public," Fauci was quoted in a report.
Fauci added that if someone refuses vaccine in the general public, you cannot force someone to take it.
Fauci, who is also the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said that some workplaces, especially those in health care fields, might prevent employees from coming to work or interacting with patients if they have not been vaccinated for the flu.
According to a recent Gallup poll, more than a third of Americans are unwilling to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mandatory vaccine requirements will generally be in the state health authorities.
Meanwhile, there are promising COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in phase 3 trials. These were deemed to be safe and effective.
The National Institutes of Health announced last month that Boston-based drug maker company Moderna had begun the phase 3 trial with 30,000 adult volunteers who had been infected by COVID-19.
AstraZeneca's vaccine is also in phase 3 trials.
Fauci said that the government already pre-ordered guaranteed purchases.
"The good news is that if the vaccines are safe and effective, you have already got a head start in making the doses without wasting any time," he was quoted in a Forbes report.
Fauci said around ten million doses should be available by early 2021.
The Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices will prioritize who will get the first round of vaccines.
The infectious disease expert said that they would decide who will benefit and need the vaccines the most.
WHO's Warning
The World Health Organization is warning countries to avoid hoarding supplies and vaccines as it will prolong the global pandemic at a steep cost to poor and developing nations.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the health agency plans to hand out the vaccine equitably across the globe.
Tedros said that we need to prevent the so-called vaccine nationalism.
"Sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in each country's national interest. No one is safe until everyone is safe," Tedros said.
WHO also advised not to wait for a vaccine to save lives.
Mask Mandate
While many are waiting for the development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, health and safety precautions are being laid out globally.
One of these is wearing a mask.
Fauci said that everybody should wear a mask during an interview with actor Matthew McConaughey Thursday night.
However, the United States has not enforced any nationwide mask mandate. But there is a mask mandate on individual states such as Mississippi and California, among others.
Fauci said that the challenge with mask mandates is the time wasted enforcing it. He explained he prefers that he wears a mask.
Currently, the U.S. has a total of 5.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, with around 172,000 deaths.
Check these out:
US, Moderna Ink $1.5 Billion Deal on COVID-19 Vaccines
Fauci on Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine: "I Seriously Doubt That It Is Safe and Effective"
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!
