Daily US Times: A group of leading scientists has warned that even an effective coronavirus vaccine will not return life to normal in spring.
A vaccine is often seen as the holy grail that will end the coronavirus pandemic.
But a report, from researchers, brought together by the Royal Society, said we needed to be “realistic” about what a Covid-19 vaccine could achieve and when.
The researchers said restrictions may need to be “gradually relaxed” as it could take up to a year to roll the vaccine out.
More than 200 vaccines to protect against the virus are being developed across the globe by scientists around the world in a process that is taking place at unprecedented speed.
Dr Fiona Culley, from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, said: “A vaccine offers great hope for potentially ending the pandemic, but we do know that the history of vaccine development is littered with lots of failures.”
There is optimism, including from the UK government’s scientific advisers, that mass vaccination may start early next year and some people may get a vaccine this year.
The Royal Society report warns it will be a long process.
Prof Nilay Shah, head of chemical engineering at Imperial College London, said: “Even when the vaccine is available it doesn’t mean within a month everybody is going to be vaccinated, we’re talking about six months, nine months… a year.”
There’s not a question of suddenly return life to normal in March, he said.
You may read: Trump’s advisors offer public praise but privately worry after debate
