Former FDA chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb has warned that the new infectious strain of Covid-19 found in the UK is “already in the US” as more than 40 countries ban travel to and from UK for 48 hours or more.
“I don’t think a travel ban, at this point, is going to stop this brutal pressure from coming into the United States,” Gottlieb said. “We have an epilepsy that will continue over the next three to four weeks, we will reach a peak, and then we will start to see declining disease rates as we see vaccines being distributed. “
The new version of Covid-19 is forcing parts of the UK back into lockdown. The government has imposed the strictest restrictions in London as well as other areas in the south-east of England, and families can no longer gather at Christmas, as previously expected. In an interview on CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” on Monday night, Gottlieb explained that the new mutation appears to be due to selective pressure on the virus itself.
“As the virus spreads around the world, we are about to start seeing more of these variables, which is why it’s important for the population to get vaccinated and snuffed out. -from these diseases, “Gottlieb said.” The more diseases you have, the more these variables begin to decrease. “
Scientists in the UK have suggested that the Covid variant makes the virus 50% more susceptible, however, there is currently no report that it makes the disease worse. Both Eli Lilly and Regeneron, who make the antibody drugs to treat Covid, said their medications should be effective against the opposite. According to Reuters, BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said his company would review the pressure, but looked at the situation with “a degree of optimism.” BioNTech is a Pfizer partner on the Covid vaccine. Gottlieb’s host to Shep Smith explained why he believes vaccines eventually need to change.
“The question is, is this virus going to alter the surface proteins in a way that can destroy the vaccines or the immune system, and there is no indication that it is doing so? for now, but over time it will evolve in ways that are likely to prevent infection or pre – vaccinations to some extent, so we may need to change our vaccines over time, “said Gottlieb.
The first batch of the Moderna Covid vaccine hit hospitals across the US today. The Moderna vaccine is the second, after the Pfizer vaccine, to be authorized by the FDA. Moderna’s release is expected to double its size with the company expecting to deliver six million doses this week compared to Pfizer’s 2.9 million doses last week. The Pfizer vaccine requires a temperature of less than 94 degrees Fahrenheit, or a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. Moderna can store its vaccine for up to six months at a rate of 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gottlieb said the current level of vaccine circulation is “good,” but that some challenges could arise as the population receiving the vaccine expands.
“I think the challenge is going to be the last mile, trying to spread these vaccines in the community,” Gottlieb said. “Right now, in the month of December, we’re These vaccines are largely distributed to healthcare workers through medical centers, academic hospitals, community hospitals, they know how to distribute vaccines, they know how to locate their healthcare workers . “
Disclosure: Scott Gottlieb is a CNBC partner and a board member of Pfizer, Tempus genetic testing startup and biotechnology company Illumina. Pfizer has a manufacturing agreement with Gilead for remdesivir. Gottlieb is also co-chair of it Norwegian tour line trends′ And Royal Caribbeanand “Healthy navigation panel.”