White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci updated governors Tuesday on expectations regarding vaccination in the coming months.
Gov. Andy Beshear offered a rundown of Fauci's comments in a briefing. He said the top infectious disease expert believes the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, though the company may need to update its efficacy data before it undergoes a review by the FDA.
Fauci indicated the nation could begin vaccinating high school students in the fall and younger children by early 2022. Beshear said it's still unclear if or when booster shots may be necessary to maintain immunity in the general population.
"We only have about eight months' worth of data, so how long the immunity lasts is still in question," the governor said. "They certainly know that it lasts in a strong way for six-plus months."
While Fauci expressed concerns about rising or plateauing cases in some states, Beshear said Kentucky is currently among those with a more encouraging downward trajectory.
