Fauci 'cautiously optimistic' for year end vaccine

nation's top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says he is "cautiously optimistic" U.S. will have a safe and effective vaccine available by end of vember or beginning of December.

Speaking during an interview with Associated Press, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that federal government has already "pre-ordered to be produced large numbers of doses."  So he said some Americans, like healthcare workers, would likely be able to start getting vaccine by January 2021.

While that is a historically quick timeline for vaccine production, it contradicts statements from President Donald Trump and or members of his administration that a vaccine will be available as early as this month.

Fauci said he's concerned about public perception relating to virus after so much politicization of issue during this election cycle.  And he hopes it doesn't dissuade Americans from wanting to get vaccinated.

"That would be really tragic if re were a vaccine that was safe and effective that could save lives and people, because of ir lack of trust in authority, would t want to take vaccine. That would be an unfortunate situation," he said.

Fauci said Americans should rest assured vaccine development and production process will be transparent and driven entirely by science, t politics.

" chances of re being secret hankie panky are almost zero because everything is going to be transparent," Fauci insisted.

Asked if he would be confident eugh to get vaccinated in January, should it be available, Fauci said yes.

"If I saw data, which I likely will, and I was satisfied with decision of FDA, which I think I will be because it's going to be made by career scientists, I would without hesitation take vaccine and recommend to my family to take vaccine," he said.