Fauci seeks to quell virus vaccine concerns

Dr. Anthony Fauci sought to ease concerns about the potential safety and efficacy of any coronavirus vaccines on Tuesday and said the short amount of time it took to develop the vaccines can be attributed to "extraordinary advances in scientific technology."

"There are mixed messages that come out," he said. "But what really is happening is this independent process that is looked at by people with no skin in the game, financially or otherwise."

The nation's top infectious disease doctor was speaking during a virtual awarding of the William Randolph Hearst Award for excellence in mass communication.

The award was given to Fauci by San Jose State University in California.

He said that when a vaccine receives FDA approval, he will "without hesitation, take the vaccine and suggest strongly to my family to also take the vaccine."

A second experimental COVID-19 vaccine — this one from Moderna Inc. — yielded extraordinarily strong early results Monday, another badly needed dose of hope as the pandemic enters a terrible new phase.

Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from an ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer Inc. announced its own vaccine looked 90% effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.

(Pic credit: AP)