WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci says scientists are trying to answer the two most pressing questions for millions of Americans already fully vaccinated against COVID-19: can they be infected without showing any symptoms and, if so, can they transmit the coronavirus the other person?
Fauci said at the coronavirus briefing at the White House on Friday that a major test is underway involving 12,000 university students at more than 20 universities.
“This is an extremely important issue,” he said. “This will help inform science-based decisions about wearing a mask and about social distance after vaccination.”
Half of the students will receive the injection of two doses of Moderna and the other half will initially serve as a control group, receiving the same vaccine four months later.
All students will keep an electronic diary, clean their nose daily and provide occasional blood samples. They will also provide the names of close contacts. Fauci says it may take about five months to get some answers.