Updates From Russo About COVID-19 Vaccine

Updated December 8, 2020

Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, says midsummer could be the turning point of the coronavirus pandemic. “Activities where we can get together without masks, even indoors, become once again a reality and we’ll be getting back to normal,” says Russo. But before a return to normalcy can happen, many people must get the COVID-19 vaccine. “The vaccine is here, but it’s not in everyone yet so it’s going to take us time,” says Russo. “The new coronavirus is much more stable and does not change genetically as rapidly and extensively as influenza viruses. Therefore, the vaccine we’re developing now, we’re hoping is going to be effective and durable — keeping our fingers crossed — for a couple of years.”