Moderna Inc’s chief executive has predicted an end to the Covid pandemic within a year as the production of vaccines ramps up.
Speaking to Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung Stéphane Bancel said: "As of today, in a year, I assume," when asked how long it would take for things to get back to normal.
“If you look at the industry-wide expansion of production capacities over the past six months, enough doses should be available by the middle of next year so that everyone on this earth can be vaccinated”
Even those who are not vaccinated will develop natural immunity, he said.
"Those who do not get vaccinated will immunize themselves naturally because the Delta variant is so contagious. In this way, we will end up in a situation similar to that of the flu.
“You can either get vaccinated and have a good winter. Or you don't do it and risk getting sick and possibly even ending up in hospital."
Bancel added that booster shots were a good idea as people already vaccinated would need a refresher.
"The volume of vaccine is the biggest limiting factor. With half the dose, we would have 3 billion doses available worldwide for the coming year instead of just 2 billion," he said.
He added the company was testing a new version of its vaccine optimised to prevent the Delta variant but also looking ahead and working on a vaccine to prevent a combination of the Delta and Beta variants, which he said scientists predict will be the next likely mutation.
The price of a booster or new vaccination will stay the same, he said.
The interview came as the US FDA gave approval for Pfizer (NYSE:PFE)/BioNTech’s vaccine to be administered as a third or booster dose for people aged over 65 or in the vulnerable category.
Data on the effectiveness on Modern’s vaccine as a booster will be available in a few weeks, the US’s chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said at the weekend.