Our goal, our hope is that in the first quarter of 2021 that we would have about half a billion of doses available to be distributed across the countries, in a fair manner, so countries can start expecting doses toward the end of the first quarter of 2021. A few countries may start earlier, it’s likely, possible, that we may have some learnings by going early into a few countries.

Soumya Swaminathan

We want it for our research, in a big country like India, we need... by Soumya Swaminathan

We want it for our research, in a big country like India, we need it.

Soumya Swaminathan

health-news

They've got a lead, essentially ... it's certainly not a vaccine... by Soumya Swaminathan

They've got a lead, essentially ... it's certainly not a vaccine yet.

Soumya Swaminathan

health-news

The idea is to control the use of these new TB drugs, because the... by Soumya Swaminathan

The idea is to control the use of these new TB drugs, because there are very few of them.

Soumya Swaminathan

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I think the message is loud and clear, that it's the primary course of vaccination that is going to protect against severe disease and death. That has to be our goal.

Soumya Swaminathan

So, the boosters, unfortunately, are probably not the solution to this.

Soumya Swaminathan

Then when we get to the goals of reducing transmission, really down to very low levels, at that point, one might consider, of course, vaccinating children as well, i think the guidance on children will be very contextual and specific to local context.

Soumya Swaminathan

B 1.617 is likely to be a variant of concern because it has some mutations which increase transmission, and which also potentially could make( it) resistant to antibodies that are generated by vaccination or by natural infection.

Soumya Swaminathan

The COVAX facility is not going to penalize countries.

Soumya Swaminathan

We're looking at 2022 at least before enough people start getting the vaccine to build immunity, so, for a long time to come, we have to maintain the same kind of measures that are currently being put in place with physical distancing, the masking and respiratory hygiene.

Soumya Swaminathan

There are two distinct trials with their own protocols, their own oversight committees. Therefore we will continue for now, our committee will consider the data that becomes available...look at the data within our trial but also consider evidence that is coming out of other randomised trials, and we will continue to update you on the progress of the Solidarity Trial.

Soumya Swaminathan

They informed us about the preliminary results, which they have gone to the press with. We await to see the final data analysis and the publication that's going to come out of it and certainly our committee will be considering these results as we go on, however, they are two distinct trials, with their own protocols, their own oversight committees and therefore we will continue for now and our committee will consider the data as it becomes available.

Soumya Swaminathan