Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing in Washington, D.C., July 31, 2020.
Kevin Dietsch | Pool | Reuters
White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday a coronavirus vaccine probably won’t be ready by the U.S. presidential election even as the Centers for Disease and Prevention asks states to ready distribution facilities by Nov. 1.
Fauci told PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff that it’s more likely a vaccine will be ready by “the end of the year” as drug companies Moderna and Pfizer race to complete patient enrollment for their late-stage vaccine trials by the end of September.
“It’s unlikely we’ll have a definitive answer” by Nov. 3, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said.
The comments are also at odds with President Donald Trump, who suggested at a press conference Monday that a vaccine could be ready for distribution by Election Day.
“We could have a vaccine soon, maybe even before a very special day. You know what day I’m talking about,” Trump, who is seeking reelection, told reporters.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
