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Coronavirus: Ask an expert

US may not need AstraZeneca's vaccine, Fauci says

AstraZeneca’s shot has been under scrutiny since late last year

By Tamar Lapin New York Post
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The US may not need AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine — even if the shot gets approved by federal regulators, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.

In an interview with Reuters, Fauci, the chief medical adviser to the White House, said the nation already has enough contracts with other vaccine makers to inoculate the entire population.

"My general feeling is that given the contractual relationships that we have with a number of companies, that we have enough vaccine to fulfill all of our needs without invoking AstraZeneca," he said.

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The nation’s top infectious disease expert added that the US possibly also has enough vaccine supply for booster shots in the fall.

"If you look at the numbers (of doses) that we’re going to be getting … it is likely that we can handle any boost that we need, but I can’t say definitely for sure," he told Reuters.

Once hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, AstraZeneca’s shot has been under scrutiny since late last year.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks to a group of interfaith clergy members and community leaders and officials at the Washington National Cathedral, to encourage faith communities to get the COVID vaccine, Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks to a group of interfaith clergy members and community leaders and officials at the Washington National Cathedral, to encourage faith communities to get the COVID vaccine, Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Last month, more than a dozen countries that had approved the London-based pharmaceutical company’s vax temporarily suspended the use of it after reports linked it to a rare blood clotting disorder.

Meanwhile, US regulators accused the company of "cherry picking" data to make it seem like the shot was more effective. 

Following public criticism, AstraZeneca said the data was based on a "pre-specified interim analysis," and agreed to release an updated report.

The firm then released revised results showing a diminished, though still strong, efficacy for its inoculation.

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AstaZeneca also said it intends to seek FDA emergency use authorization for the vaccine within a few weeks.