Coronavirus: Trump doubles down on vaccine time, contradicts CDC director on vaccine, masks

Robert Redfield, in testimony to a congressional committee, said that general availability of a vaccine could come by “late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”

Team Newsable

Washington D.C., First Published Sep 17, 2020, 9:01 AM IST | Last Updated Sep 17, 2020, 11:39 AM IST

Washington DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday (September 16) took exception to comments from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, who said a vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be broadly rolled out in mid-2021 and that masks might be even more effective.

CDC director Robert Redfield, in his testimony to a congressional committee, said that a vaccine's general availability could come by “late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”

However, Trump, at a news conference, said he believed a vaccine will be rolled out much sooner. He said he called Redfield after his testimony to question him about it, and that Redfield appeared to have been confused by the question.

“I think he made a mistake when he said that,” Trump said of Redfield’s testimony. “I don’t think he means that. When he said it, I believe he was confused.”

Trump has stated that a vaccine availability is just a matter of weeks and that there was a plan to begin distributing it widely soon after the Food and Drug Administration approves it. It is to be noted that Trump is eager to have progress on a vaccine ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

Several companies in the race to develop coronavirus vaccine are in late-stage trials and have expressed optimism. But none of the vaccines are yet proven to be effective and safe.

Redfield was also criticized by Trump for saying wearing a mask can be just as effective as a vaccine. Trump was initially reluctant to urge Americans to wear masks but has since been more willing to do so. Still, he has held a number of tightly packed events where many participants have not covered their mouth and nose.

“Number one, it’s not more effective than a vaccine and I called him about that,” Trump said.

On Twitter late on Wednesday, Redfield said he believed “100%” in the importance of a vaccine. “A COVID-19 vaccine is the thing that will get Americans back to normal everyday life,” he said.

Despite Trump quibbling with Redfield, the President said he retained confidence in his performance at the CDC.

Redfield, who is a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, did say that a vaccine could be ready as soon as this November or December, and that limited first doses could go to those who were most vulnerable, but that it might take until mid-2021 for it to be widely available.

“As soon as (a) vaccine gets approved or cleared, we want to be in a position to distribute it within 24 hours,” Redfield told the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labour, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

But “in order to have enough of us immunized to have immunity, I think it’s going to take six to nine months,” he added.

The federal government will allocate vaccines for each state based on the critical populations recommended first for vaccination by the US CDC.

(With inputs from agency)

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