Scientists are trying to answer two of the most pressing questions for millions of people vaccinated against COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday: Can they get the disease without showing symptoms, and if so, can they transmit it?
Fauci told the White House press conference on Friday that an investigation is underway with 12,000 students from about 20 universities.
“It’s a very important problem,” he said. “It will help make science-based decisions about wearing masks and maintaining social distance after vaccination.
Half of the students will receive the Moderna vaccine and the other half will serve as a control group to receive the vaccine four months later.
All students keep an electronic diary daily, clean their nose daily and give blood samples from time to time. They will also mention the names of the people with whom they are in close contact. Fauci said the answers will be available in about five months.