Pouch: "Thanks to COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccines, It Will End Soon"

by Kwon Jaehee

Published 13 Nov.2020 14:13(KST)

▲Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that the COVID-19 pandemic will not last long thanks to vaccines.

On the 12th (local time), Dr. Fauci, attending online at an event hosted by the British think tank Chatham House, said this during the event.

Dr. Fauci said, "Undoubtedly, it (COVID-19) will not remain a pandemic for much longer," adding, "because I believe vaccines will turn the tide."

He continued, "Vaccines will help us," and "What we need to do is just endure and continue to strengthen public health measures."

However, Dr. Fauci also predicted that COVID-19 will not be easily eradicated.

He said, "I do not believe we will eradicate this," and "I think we need to expect that this is something we will need to chronically keep under control."

He added, "It might just become an endemic disease that we need to be cautious about."

Regarding the rapid development of effective vaccines, he emphasized, "This is largely thanks to extraordinary scientific advances happening in the field of platform technologies," and "There has been no compromise on safety or scientific rigor."

In an interview with ABC on the same day, he also stated that vaccines will have a positive ripple effect.

Dr. Fauci said, "This means that a helping hand is truly coming," and "If you think of it metaphorically, you could say that the knights are coming here."

He forecasted that COVID-19 vaccines would begin distribution and administration starting in December, and by January, February, and March of next year, more and more people will be vaccinated.