Coronavirus Vaccine May Never Arrive, UK PM Boris Johnson Warns
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the harsh truth brits must adapt to the new normal as a coronavirus vaccine may not arrive any time soon. Johnson even warned a vaccine may not be developed at all.
Johnson, who has recovered from his own bout with COVID-19, is dampening hopes of a vaccine arriving soon. In a Mail on Sunday piece, the prime minister said U.K. has already “passed through the peak” of the virus, but there’s more to come.
He touted the big steps the government has taken forward, including an antibody test that provides 100% accuracy and a £93 million investment to open a new Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre. However, Johnson warned there’s “a very long way to go.” He also said a coronavirus vaccine might never be developed.
“I said we would throw everything we could at finding a vaccine. There remains a very long way to go, and I must be frank that a vaccine might not come to fruition,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson’s comments come as more countries slowly lift COVID-19 restrictions and reopen their economies. While he praised U.K. for “leading the global effort” to fight COVID-19, Johnson asked the public to “stay alert.”
“Despite these efforts, we have to acknowledge we may need to live with this virus for some time to come,” wrote the prime minister.
“We have achieved a lot together so far. Let’s not throw it all away now. In return for the small freedoms we are now allowing ourselves, we must stay alert.”
The United Kingdom has the third most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world with 243,695 and 34,636 deaths, according to data from Wikipedia. It follows Russia (281,752) and the United States (1,516,343).
