Dr. Anthony Fauci said that a Covid-19 vaccine would offer incomplete protection. While he would settle for a vaccine that is 70 percent to 75 percent effective, the problem is people.
Speaking out about the Covid-19 vaccines in the works, Dr. Fauci said that it is “unlikely” that the United States will achieve herd immunity. This is because of the fact that many Americans say they won’t get the vaccine when it becomes available.
One-third of Americans said they would not get the vaccine according to a CNN poll conducted last month.
Three coronavirus vaccines will be studied in large-scale clinical trials over the next three months. The trials are being conducted with government support.
“The best we’ve ever done is measles, which is 97 to 98 percent effective,” said Fauci. “That would be wonderful if we get there. I don’t think we will. I would settle for a 70, 75 percent effective vaccine.”
However, would a vaccine be enough to help fight coronavirus?
Related: FDA May Intervene If States Continue to Allow Vaccine Exemptions
CNN asked Dr. Fauci on Friday if a vaccine with 70-75 percent effectiveness would be enough. That’s if only two-thirds of the American population were willing to get the vaccine.
“No, unlikely,” answered Fauci.
Herd immunity can only be obtained when a sufficient population is immune to an infectious disease. This can be achieved through vaccination or from a prior illness, which can make person-to-person spread unlikely.
And the issue with America? Fauci believes that the anti-science sentiment is playing a dangerous role in whether people will be willing to accept a vaccine or not.
“There is a general anti-science, anti-authority, anti-vaccine feeling among some people in this country. An alarmingly large percentage of people, relatively speaking,” said Fauci.
As a result, he admitted that “we have a lot of work to do” to educate people about the truth of vaccines.
“It’s not going to be easy,” said Fauci. “Anyone [who] thinks it will be easy is not facing reality. It’s going to be very difficult.”
However, businesses are already having to adjust to the coronavirus outbreak, moving online. This includes online casinos and similar.
Related: Fauci Warns About Reopening Schools, Trump Replies, ‘Not an acceptable answer’
Fauci revealed that there is a vaccine education program in the works. The hope is that the program will help counteract anti-vaccine messages.
“We have a program right now that’s going to be extensive in reaching out to the community,” said Fauci. “They may not like a government person in a suit like me telling them, even though I will tell them. They really need to see people that they can relate to in the community. Sports figures, community heroes, people that they look up to.”
However, whether such a program is actually in place is another matter.
Michael Caputo, a US Department of Health and Human Services spokesman, told CNN via email that he couldn’t confirm the existence of a vaccine education program. He said, “I’d hate to see CNN put out [a] wildly incorrect story.”
Related: Dr. Fauci Says ‘Immunity Cards’ Are Being Considered
