NPR

Coronavirus Vaccine Will Be A 'Dimmer Switch,' Researcher Says

Large populations of susceptible or at-risk people need to be studied in order to gauge the safety and efficacy of a coronavirus vaccine, says Dr. Richard Kennedy of the Mayo Clinic.
A professor at the University of Brasilia and coordinating doctor for tests of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine, shows the vaccine to journalists amidst the coronavirus pandemic on Aug. 5, 2020 in Brazil. (Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has developed a coronavirus vaccine that’s ready for public use — but many scientists are skeptical about its safety.

No one really knows when a vaccine will become available. President Trump has said a vaccine could be ready by November. Dr. Anthony Fauci said we may have one by early next year, while some scientists and researchers say more time is needed than that.

, who leads the vaccine research group at the Mayo Clinic

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