Since the genetic sequence for the coronavirus was first made public in January, scientists worldwide

have been working on developing a vaccine. Never before in history has it taken less than

several years for a new vaccine to be produced. Dr. Anthony Fauci says a COVID inoculation

could be available to the public as soon as next January. And this emphasis on speed has some

people worried that politicians are pressuring scientists to cut corners. But other people just want

to know how soon they can get in line. So where do you stand? People are being asked, would you get

a COVID-19 vaccine or set another way? Would you get a theoretical COVID-19 vaccine because there

is no COVID-19 vaccine? That's Dr. Paul Offit. Offit is the director of the Vaccine Education Center

at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He was also co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine and serves

on the Vaccine Advisory Committee for the FDA. If you ask me that question, if you said, would I get

a COVID-19 vaccine? My answer to that would be not until I see the data. Let me see whether or not

my group is represented there, whatever it is, whether it's African-American or Latinx or obese or

healthcare worker or someone over 65. You want to see that your group is represented in the safety

data and the efficacy data. But Paul says that data may not come from months and when it does start

to trickle in, don't expect certainty. Instead, assume that you'll have to make educated guesses.

The question when you launch a medical product is not, do I know everything? The question is,

do you know enough to say that the benefits of this particular product, that way it's theoretical

risks? I mean, do you know enough to say that? Sometimes there's unpleasant surprises, but that's

the nature of medical breakthroughs. There's always learning curve.

Today on the show, selling the vaccine, when we finally get an FDA-approved inoculation,

we'll some refuse to get the shot. I'm Celeste Headley, filling in for Lizio Liri, and you're listening

to what next TBD? A show about technology, power, and how the future will be determined. Stay with us.

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