WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 5: Scott Gottlieb testified during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on April 5, 2017 at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images )
In Writing
UPDATED 5:55 PM PT – Sunday, January 31, 2021
Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb said COVID-19 vaccines should be enough to curb the spread of new variants.
In an interview Sunday, Gottlieb said vaccines are the best starting point against Brazilian and South African variants, as Americans remain immunized.
We have time to do well. But we have no time to lose. Current vaccines will be an important support for continued spread and will help reduce the introduction of new variants. In the fall, we could have shift-oriented drivers we see with these mutants.
– Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) January 29, 2021
The former Trump administration official said health workers should look for access areas, especially Miami and San Diego. However, Gottlieb is confident that health experts know how to handle the coronavirus pandemic.
“It simply came to our notice then. Prior immunity and vaccines appear to be just as effective against this new variant. So, as we immunize more than the population and if people continue to wear masks and watch in these parts of the country, we can keep it under control, ”said Gottlieb. “It’s not too late, but it’s a real risk for these regions of the country right now.”
Gottlieb urged Americans not to take their foot off the break while fighting the virus and to be alert to standards of social distancing.