The "Vector" informed that the coronavirus epidemic will become seasonal

He stated this on the air of the Vremya program on the Channel One.

“Of course, the epidemic will come to an end and the pandemic itself will transform into the format of a seasonal disease, the new coronavirus itself will continue to circulate in the human population, but like a classic seasonal influenza virus,” the scientist said.

He also called the conditions under which, in his opinion, the epidemic will become seasonal.

- In order this could happen it is necessary to significantly increase that immune layer, that collective population immunity to the new coronavirus, which should make up from 50 to 60% of the world's population. Both through those who have been ill and through the vaccination against a new coronavirus, ”explained Maksyutov.

According to the head of the center, there is no data on a possible re-infection of a person with a coronavirus.

Earlier, Maksyutov said that the scientists of “Vector” are ready to begin the first phase of clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine in May 2020. Vaccine prototypes have already been laboratory tested in mice and ferrets.

In total, 10 131 cases of infection with a new coronavirus infection were detected in Russia. To date, 698 patients have recovered. 76 people died from the disease.