CNN: Moderna's clinical trial numbers show there's 'no way' Trump can have a vaccine by Election Day

UC expert leading local trial is encouraged by community response

Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine, is featured in an article by CNN on the trial of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19. In the story, Peter Hotez, MD, a vaccinologist at Baylor College of Medicine and CNN medical expert, says there is "no way" the vaccine will be ready by Election Day Nov. 3 as President Trump is hoping. 

Dr. Fichtenbaum and Jassiel HIV study in lab.

Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand

Fichtenbaum, who is the medical director for the Moderna trial at UC, told CNN he expects to start enrolling patients at his site in the middle of August. He said his goal is to enroll 500 patients, and already 2,500 patients have reached out to him inquiring about the trial.

"We're getting good numbers," he said of the trial. "I think this accrual is going to hit its target pretty quickly."

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