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21:11 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that his administration will enter into a partnership with McKesson Corporation to rapidly distribute a coronavirus vaccine as soon as one is approved.
"I am pleased to announce that as part of Operation Warp Speed, the federal government will be partnering with McKesson Corporation great company, which is a major medical supplier to rapidly distribute a (corona) virus vaccine as soon as one is approved, fully approved," Trump said during a news conference.
"They are in stage 3 trials. We have many of them going along different passes. Also many different companies doing them very, very incredible companies," he added.
"We currently have three candidates in phase 3 clinical trials and are on pace to have more than 100 million doses of a vaccine ready before the end of the year and 500 million doses very shortly thereafter, and we are ready logistically to distribute them.
"We continue to actively monitor the virus, executing our strategy to protect the vulnerable, and prevent hospital overcrowding. As of today, hospitalizations continue to be very stable, and we will be watching always very carefully, remain vigilant," he pointed out.
Trump urged every citizen to practice good hygiene, socially distance, wear a mask when distancing is not possible and to protect the elderly, "always protect the elderly."
The United States has been topping the most affected COVID-19 countries all over the world in terms of the number of infections and mortalities. (end)
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