President-elect
Joe Biden said he heard the "excellent" news about Pfizer and BioNTech's promising
Coronavirus vaccine trial analysis last night from his public health advisers.
In a Monday morning statement, Biden — who just announced his own COVID-19 transition advisory board that will monitor the course of the pandemic between now and Biden's arrival in the
White House in January — praised "the brilliant men and
Women who helped produce this breakthrough" that gives "us such cause for hope."
But he also urged caution, noting that if the vaccine does indeed get emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration later in November, "it will be many more months before there is widespread vaccination in this country." In the meantime, Biden said Americans should still wear masks, socially distance, and practice other health and safety measures.