Fauci says it’s a ‘false narrative’ to think COVID-19 vaccine not needed if Merck drug approved | TheHill – The Hill

President BidenJoe BidenTop GOP senator: 'Far-left Democrats are driving the bus and Joe Biden is just along for the ride' Political study should give Democrats a jolt Fauci says it's a 'false narrative' to think COVID-19 vaccine not needed if Merck drug approved MOREs top medical adviser, Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFauci says it's a 'false narrative' to think COVID-19 vaccine not needed if Merck drug approved Sunday shows preview: Biden amps up involvement in talks amid tug-of-war over infrastructure Fauci: Results from Merck pill to treat COVID-19 'impressive' MORE,said on Sunday that it is a false narrative to think that the COVID-19 vaccinewouldnot be needed if an antiviral COVID-19 treatment from Merckis federally approved.

This Weekco-anchor Jonathan Karl asked Fauci on ABC if theapproval ofthe antiviral treatment could make taking the COVID-19 vaccine unnecessary.

Oh, absolutely not. That's such a false narrative that someone says, Well now you have a drug. Remember, the easiest way to stay out of the hospital, and not die, is don't get infected, Fauci told Karl.

I mean this idea about We have a drug, don't get vaccinated, just doesn't make any sense,Fauci added.

Faucis comments come as the United States surpassed the grim milestone of 700,000 COVID-19 deaths.

He also said that many of those deaths could have been avoidable had they taken the COVID-19 vaccine, explaining if you look at the people who get hospitalized, and the people who die, it is overwhelmingly weighted towards the people who are unvaccinated.

"When you say 'Are some of those deaths avoidable?' They certainly are. In fact, looking forward now, most of the deaths could be avoidable if we get people vaccinated," Dr. Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFauci says it's a 'false narrative' to think COVID-19 vaccine not needed if Merck drug approved Sunday shows preview: Biden amps up involvement in talks amid tug-of-war over infrastructure Fauci: Results from Merck pill to treat COVID-19 'impressive' MORE tells @jonkarl as the U.S. surpasses 700,000 deaths from COVID-19. https://t.co/8flUwOVpbb pic.twitter.com/cjzGTnKN69

Merck said last weekthatits antiviral COVID-19 treatment, molnupiravir, was effective against COVID-19.The pharmaceutical giantsaid that inphase three trials, only 7.3 percent of those who received the medication were hospitalized for COVID-19 within 29 dayswhile 14.1 percent of those who received the placebo either ended up in the hospital or died.

Merckalso said that none of the people who received molnupiravir died during the trial, but eight people who received the placebo did.

Merck said that it would be applying for emergency authorization of the drug.

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Fauci says it's a 'false narrative' to think COVID-19 vaccine not needed if Merck drug approved | TheHill - The Hill