The first vaccine against COVID-19 may be available towards the end
of this year or early next year, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported
on Monday, quoting European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
Stella Kyriakides.
"Although making predictions is risky at this stage, we have good indications," Kyriakides told the newspaper.
Kyriakides said the vaccine may not solve all the problems right away,
but will "gradually allow a return to normality" once a "critical mass
of citizens, especially among the risk groups" have been vaccinated.
The commissioner expressed concern over rising infection rates across
the European Union (EU), saying, "we are seeing an increasing number of
smaller and larger outbreaks in several member states." She called on EU
countries to locally control infection source with "testing, contact
tracing and immediate isolation."
Kyriakides didn't exclude the possibility that some member states might
again take drastic restriction measures as in March and April.
"The uncertainties surrounding the virus remain... We must remain
vigilant and not let our guard down to avoid a second lockdown," she
warned, adding that the EU is better prepared than at the beginning of
the crisis.
Kyriakides said the coronavirus warning apps now available in member
states should be "merged into one portal so that they can be used
throughout the EU." The official also hoped the pilot phase of the
portal could start in early September.
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