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Pharmaceutical industry

Two More COVID-19 Vaccines Could Be Approved in US Within Weeks, Says Dr. Fauci

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has stated that two more COVID-19 vaccines, developed by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, could be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within weeks. This news comes as President-elect Joe Biden aims to administer 100 million doses of the vaccine in his first 100 days in office. Fauci, who is set to become Biden's chief science adviser, has expressed confidence in the timeline, stating that it is "absolutely a do-able thing."

Key Takeaways:

  • AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccines are in clinical trials and could be submitted for FDA approval within a week or so.
  • The vaccines are expected to provide protection against COVID-19, with AstraZeneca's vaccine showing an average 70% effectiveness in trials.
  • Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine is still in large clinical trials and its effectiveness is not yet clear.
  • The incoming Biden administration plans to use "whatever mechanisms we can" to reach the goal of 100 million doses in 100 days.
  • According to Johns Hopkins University, the virus has killed more than 397,000 Americans and 2.03 million people worldwide.
  • Fauci urged people to get immunized to protect them from the disease, emphasizing that getting the overwhelming majority of the population vaccinated would put the US in "very good shape."
  • Fauci recommended Americans to double down on public health measures while waiting for a vaccine, especially with the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

Statistics:

  • More than 12 million shots have been given to Americans so far, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • AstraZeneca's vaccine has already been approved in the UK and has averaged 70% effectiveness in trials.
  • Johnson & Johnson's vaccine could be on track for March rollout, according to the company.
  • The goal of 100 million doses in 100 days is set by the Biden administration.
  • The virus has killed more than 397,000 Americans and 2.03 million people worldwide, per Johns Hopkins University.

Sources:

  • https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/fauci-weeks-not-months-new-vaccines-are-submitted-approval-n1254543
  • https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-david-kessler-operation-warp-speed-slaoui-vaccines-2021-1
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-astrazeneca/emergency-u-s-authorization-for-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-likely-in-april-idUSKBN29420M
  • https://cov-lineages.org/global_report_B.1.1.7.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&stream=top#B.1.1.7=top#B.1.1.7
  • https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

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