Former FDA Chief Dr. Scott. Scott Gottlieb warned that the highly contagious, new variant of the Covid-19, found in the United Kingdom, is “in the US” as more than 40 countries ban travel to the UK for 48 hours or more.
“I don’t think the travel ban, at this stage, will prevent this transformational tension from coming to the United States,” Gottlieb said. “We will plan an epidemic that will continue over the next three or four weeks, we will reach a peak, and then we will start to see a decrease in the rate of infection as vaccinations are canceled.”
A new variant of the Covid-19 has forced parts of the United Kingdom back into lockdown. The government had imposed strict restrictions in London as well as other areas of south-east England, and families would not be able to gather during Christmas as previously planned. In an interview with CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” on Monday evening, Gottlieb explained that the new change was probably the result of selective pressure on the virus.
“As the virus continues to spread around the world, we’re starting to see more of these types, and that’s why it’s important to vaccinate the population and get rid of this infection,” Gottlieb said. “The more you get infected, the more likely these types start to spread.”
Scientists in the UK have suggested that the covid variant makes the virus 50% more transmissible, however, there is currently no indication that it makes the disease worse. Eli Lilly and Regeneran, who make antibody drugs to treat covid, said their drugs should be effective against variants. According to Reuters, Bioentech chief executive Ugur Sahin said his company would investigate the change, but would look at the situation “somewhat calmly”. Bioentech is Pfizer’s partner on the covid vaccine. Gottlieb explained to Host Shape Smith why he thinks the vaccines will eventually need to be adapted.
“The question is whether the virus will alter surface proteins in a way that the vaccine or pre-immunosuppression can control, and there is no indication that it is doing so right now, but over time it develops in a way where it may have been previously infected Or remove the vaccines to some extent, so we will need to adapt our vaccine over time, ”Gottlieb said.
The first shipment of Modern’s Covid vaccine arrived in the U.S. today. The modern vaccine is second only to FDA, to be authorized by the FDA. Modern’s rollout will double in size with the company’s plans to send six million doses this week, compared to Pfizer’s 2.9 million doses last week. The Pfizer vaccine requires a temperature of minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 70 degrees Celsius. Moderna can store her vaccine at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit for up to six months.
Gottlieb said the existing logistics for vaccine distribution are “good”, but growing population vaccines could pose some challenges.
“I think the challenge will be the last mile, trying to distribute these vaccines to the community,” Gottlieb said. “Right now, in the month of December, we are distributing these vaccines to healthcare workers mostly through medical institutions, educational hospitals, community hospitals. They know how to deliver vaccines, they know how to find their healthcare workers.”
Disclosure: Scott Gottlieb is a CNBC contributor and a board member of Pfizer, genetic testing start-up Tempus and biotech company Illumina. There is a manufacturing agreement with Pfizer Gilead For Remdesivir. Gottlieb also serves as co-chair Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. And Royal CaribbeanOf “Healthy Cell Panel.”
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