Defense secretary doubles down on aggressive timeline to have coronavirus vaccine ready by the end of the year

Defense secretary says coronavirus vaccine will be ready by end of year

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper downplayed characterizations made by health officials that a vaccine within the year would be "aspirational."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a news briefing on the latest development of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Mark Esper double-downed on Friday by saying the Pentagon will meet an aggressive timeline to have a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year, a deadline doubted by leading health officials.

Esper downplayed characterizations made by health officials that a vaccine within the year would be "aspirational."

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

CNBC /  🏆 12. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Esper: National Guard deployments should be extended if necessaryDefense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday said that he would support extending National Guard deployments if its needed to continue fighting the coronavirus pandemic
Read more »

Here's why a coronavirus vaccine might be ready early next year—and what could go wrongScientists still don't fully understand key aspects of the deadly virus, including how immune systems respond once a person is exposed.
Read more »

Why a coronavirus vaccine might be ready early next year — and what could go wrongScientists still don't fully understand key aspects of the deadly virus, including how immune systems respond once a person is exposed.
Read more »

Fauci Voices Cautious Optimism About Moderna Vaccine, Calling Trial 'Quite Promising'Dr. Anthony Fauci said his team is now compiling full details from the Phase 1 trial of a coronavirus vaccine under development by Moderna. 'Having looked at the data myself, it is really quite promising,' he said.
Read more »

Lie To Your Employer About Having COVID-19? The FBI Can Arrest You34-year-old charged with fraud after allegedly lying about having the coronavirus.
Read more »

Here Are A Few Things To Feel Optimistic About Right NowFrom vaccine advancement to cleaner air, these positives are worth focusing on amid this coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »