Speaking from Switzerland to Japanese government officials and local organizers on Thursday, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach suggested “hundreds of millions” of COVID-19 vaccine doses would be available before the postponed Olympics open in July of 2021.
“We have very encouraging news about the development of a vaccine — and not only a vaccine, but vaccines,” he said, according to The Associated Press. “In the first couple months of next year we will have different vaccines. They will be available in very considerable doses.”
Bach also said the IOC had “unanimous” declarations from the World Health Organization, other “experts” and unnamed pharmaceutical companies that a coronavirus vaccine would be available by the beginning of next year.
During his teleconference, Bach also emphasized that it was time to focus on preparing for the games, not debating whether or not they should be held at all.
However, the IOC head did acknowledge there is some uncertainty about having the games ready to go on July 23 of 2021 as no one knows what the world will be like approximately 10 months from now.
“At this moment in time, the governments around the world cannot even tell you what you will be allowed to do tomorrow or next week or where you can travel,” he said. “Nobody can expect from us that we know what needs to be done 10 months from now to ensure a safe environment for everybody. This is not only about the conditions in Japan and traveling to Japan. This is also concerning the conditions in the 205 other National Olympic Committees.”
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