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The United States will continue to administer two doses of the coronavirus vaccine a few weeks apart and will not follow the UK’s decision to delay the second vaccine, Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN on Friday.

“I wouldn’t be in favor of that,” said Fauci, when asked about the UK’s new regimen. “We will continue to do what we are doing”,

So far, coronavirus vaccines approved in the United States require two doses a few weeks apart.

The UK government announced on Wednesday that “the UK will prioritize giving the first dose of the vaccine to people in the highest risk group” and allow the second dose for up to 12 weeks. later.

The UK has adopted the strategy of giving as many people as possible the first dose as quickly as possible, saying this offers some protection.

Asked by NBC’s Today Show on Thursday whether the US should change its approach and adopt the UK’s plan, Fauci replied, “It’s under consideration. He told CNN on Friday that the comment had been “misinterpreted.”

Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted that in their clinical trials, Pfizer and Moderna – the makers of the two vaccines approved in the United States – studied the effectiveness of two doses within weeks of d interval, not a few months. a part.

“The point is, we want to stick with what the science tells us, and the data we have for both (vaccines) shows you give a boost, followed by a boost in 21 days with Pfizer and 28 days with Moderna. And now that’s the way we do it, and that’s the decision that’s made, ”he said.

“We make decisions based on data. We have no data on giving a single dose and waiting longer than the normal period (to administer the second dose). “

When he said on the Today Show that following the UK’s lead was “under consideration,” Fauci said on Friday he meant some people – not US health officials – were talking about it.

“It was sort of a misinterpretation. I think some – not everyone – but people misinterpreted when I said it was under consideration (like) as if we were going to change. We are not, ”he said.