Face Of Nation International : Top vaccine makers predict a vaccine or vaccines may be available as early as the beginning of 2021 and at least two pledged doses will be free or low-cost for all Americans.Speaking before a House subcommittee Tuesday, executives from AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Moderna and Pfizer said their goal is to have effective vaccines available as soon as possible while following all safety and regulatory guidelines.
None of the pharmaceutical executives would commit to having a vaccine ready for the general public before early 2021, despite repeated questioning by House members.The United States has so far invested nearly $2.3 billion in the effort to find a vaccine to stop SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, which has killed more than 140,000 Americans.
Safety emerged as a key concern among lawmakers, with several pressing executives on whether the unprecedented speed of vaccine development or potentially lax government regulations would put the public at risk. All the panelists said safety would not be compromised.
