Dr. Anthony Fauci said he’s “cautiously optimistic” a COVID-19 vaccine will be available for the American public towards the end of this year, or early in 2021.
Dr. Fauci made the comments while testifying in front of Congress on Tuesday morning.
"It is generally vaccines that put the nail in the coffin (for the virus)," Fauci said when discussing the importance of vaccine trials that are already underway.
One possible vaccine is heading into phase three trials in July.
“This is one that has already shown, in preliminary studies, some very favorable response in the animal models that were developed,” Fauci said about that particular vaccine.
Other vaccines are set to move to phase three trials in the coming months.
According to the CDC, in phase three trials the vaccine will be given to thousands of people to test the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
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Many vaccines undergo continued studies to track long-term safety after they are approved and licensed. If any of these vaccines show favorable results in phase three trials it could be an important step for sports-- and our everyday way of life-- returning to normalcy.