In a recent statement, the CEO of Moderna, Alex Turner, emphasized that the COVID-19 vaccine is “not a cure-all” and stressed the continued importance of public health measures, including wearing masks. As Moderna and Pfizer compete to distribute their vaccines, Turner expressed concern over the prevalent disregard for mask-wearing, remarking that people shouldn’t wait for the vaccine to take precautions.
“We need public health measures… they are your strongest defense,” Turner told Bloomberg. He noted that countries like China are effectively controlling the virus, while others struggle. “It’s not a cure-all,” he cautioned regarding the vaccine his company is developing.
Although he refrained from naming specific countries, Turner expressed disbelief at seeing individuals in crowded spaces without masks or dining indoors. “I can’t comprehend it; it makes no sense,” he remarked. “You will get infected; the only question is when.”
Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, similarly told Bloomberg that the vaccine “cannot bring the epidemic under control before next spring,” which underscores the need for ongoing public health measures like social distancing and handwashing until the situation improves.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has also highlighted that even once the vaccine becomes available to the general public, which is expected around April, masks will still be necessary until a larger portion of the population is vaccinated and herd immunity is achieved. “Even if the vaccine is 90% to 95% effective, you can’t know how effective it is for you personally,” Fauci explained during a recent interview.
Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require two doses, spaced a month apart, and full effectiveness is not reached until one to two weeks after the second shot, meaning it could take nearly two months for immunity to develop. Adding to this complexity, the distribution of the vaccine will take time, and skepticism surrounding the vaccine persists among some individuals. Therefore, expectations for a complete return to normalcy by April may be unrealistic. “We are not going to flip a switch and go from where we are to normal. It will be a gradual process over the coming weeks and months as we move further into 2021,” Fauci stated.
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In summary, Moderna’s CEO has highlighted that while the COVID vaccine is a significant development, it should not be viewed as the sole solution to the pandemic. Continued public health measures, including mask-wearing, remain essential as we navigate the path towards recovery.
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