Pouch: "Even if a vaccine is developed, COVID-19 may not end"

Vaccine Antibody Formation Rate May Stall at 70-75%
If Many Refuse Vaccination, Herd Immunity Remains Elusive
Anti-Vaccine Sentiment in the US Must Be Overcome

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), warned that even if a vaccine is developed, the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) may not end. This is because the antibody formation rate of the vaccine itself may not be high, and Americans may be reluctant to get vaccinated.

Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [Photo by AP]

On the 28th (local time), Fauci said in an interview with CNN, "The antibody formation rate of the COVID-19 vaccine could be around 70-75%," adding, "Even if a vaccine is developed, herd immunity cannot be achieved unless enough people get vaccinated."

Fauci said, "Among vaccines developed so far, the most effective has been the measles vaccine, with an antibody formation rate of 97-98%," and added, "It would be great if the COVID-19 vaccine reached this level, but I don't think it will. The (developed) vaccine is expected to show an antibody formation rate of about 70-75%."

The problem is that the proportion of Americans willing to get vaccinated is low. According to a previous CNN survey, even if the vaccine is supplied at a low price, about one-third of Americans said they would not want to get vaccinated. Fauci said that if only two-thirds of the total population received a vaccine with a 70-75% antibody formation rate, "herd immunity would not be achieved."

Herd immunity refers to the stage where the majority of the population has antibodies through previous infection or vaccination, preventing further spread of the disease. Only when herd immunity is achieved can the spread of COVID-19 be halted.

Fauci expressed concern about the negative public opinion toward vaccines in the United States. He said, "There is an anti-scientific, anti-authority, and anti-vaccine sentiment in the U.S.," adding, "Quite a few people express such views." He also said there is much work to be done to communicate the truths related to vaccines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.