The CEO of Moderna, one of several companies that introduced a COVID-19vaccine earlier in the pandemic, is cautiously optimistic about what may change for the better in 2022.
Speaking with Swiss outlet Neue Zuercher Zeitung, the exec—Stéphane Bancel—pointed to the ongoing increase in vaccine production as showing that there will be enough doses for the global population by the middle of next year.
“If you look at the industry-wide expansion of production capacities over the past six months, enough doses should be available by the middle of next year so that everyone on this earth can be vaccinated,” Bancel said, per Reuters. “Boosters should also be possible to the extent required.”
Bancel added that he expects COVID-19 to eventually become an annual decision for everyone on the planet.
“You can either get vaccinated and have a good winter. Or you don’t do it and risk getting sick and possibly even ending up in hospital,” he said. In the same interview, Bancel was asked if this assessment meant that he could foresee a return to greater normalcy in the second half of 2022. Bancel agreed, saying “as of today, in a year, I assume.” He also predicted that boosters would be more broadly approved soon.
On Wednesday, President Biden convened leaders from around the world for the Global COVID-19 Summit, which saw the former Obama administration VP calling on others to join in on a “collective response to this crisis” moving forward. Among the goals touched on during the summit was the enhancement of equitable vaccine access worldwide.
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