Coronavirus is here to stay, according to a scientist in the U.K.
"This is a virus that is going to be with us forever in some form or another, and almost certainly will require repeated vaccinations," said Sir Mark Walport, a researcher from the U.K.’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. "So, a bit like flu, people will need revaccination at regular intervals."
Walport made his comments on the heels of a statement by the head of the World Health Organization, who said he hoped the pandemic would be over in two years, comparing it to the flu pandemic of 1918.
Walport argues that the world population is much larger now than in 1918 and the virus spreads more easily with denser populations and more world travel. The flu of 1918 killed at least 50 million people and to date, coronavirus has killed 800,000 people.
Walport warned that coronavirus could get "out of control" again, but suggested that instead of mandating lockdowns, more targeted measures could be used.
Source: BBC August 22, 2020