Let’s get real. No vaccine will work as if by magic, returning us to ‘normal’ | Jeremy Farrar

To dream of imminent solutions is only human. But progress will come from controlled expectations

At the end of any summer we brace ourselves - for back to school, returning to work and even for Christmas plans. But this year, the reality bump is like no other.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to reverberate globally, there is no doubt that we must be ready to face a long road ahead, certainly beyond the end of this year. The fact that a vaccine, alongside effective treatments, is our only true exit strategy remains unchanged. The speed and scale of vaccine development have been remarkable but it's important to avoid false hope.