Here’s When COVID Vaccine Maker Moderna’s CEO Thinks The Pandemic Will Be Over

The COVID pandemic may be over sooner than expected, according to COVID vaccine maker Moderna’s (MRNA) Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel.

Bancel told Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, as reported by Reuters, that he expects the pandemic to be over in a year, as he sees vaccine production increasing to where there is enough to ensure global supplies.

When asked by Neue Zuercher Zeitung exactly when the pandemic would be over, Bancel responded, “As of today, in a year, I assume.”

He continued by saying, “If you look at the industry-wide expansion of production capacities over the past six months, enough doses should be available by the middle of next year so that everyone on this earth can be vaccinated. Boosters should also be possible to the extent required,”

Bancel went on to tell the news outlet that there would soon even be vaccinations for infants.

“Those who do not get vaccinated will immunize themselves naturally, because the Delta variant is so contagious. In this way we will end up in a situation similar to that of the flu. You can either get vaccinated and have a good winter. Or you don't do it and risk getting sick and possibly even ending up in hospital.”

But Bancel maintained that booster shots would “undoubtedly” be needed, and he expects governments to approve them for vaccinated people who received their shots last fall.

He told Neue Zuercher Zeitung, “We are currently testing Delta-optimized variants in clinical trials. They will form the basis for the booster vaccination for 2022. We are also trying out Delta plus Beta, the next mutation that scientists believe is likely."

However, Bancel said, “The volume of vaccine is the biggest limiting factor,” adding, “'With half the dose, we would have 3 billion doses available worldwide for the coming year instead of just 2 billion.”

To date, over 150 million doses of the Moderna COVID shot have been administered in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Thursday at 11:16 a.m., shares of Moderna were trading at $451.63, up $10.91, or 2.48%.