Trump predicts US will have coronavirus vaccine by end of year

Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

US President Donald Trump is "confident" that the country will have a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year.

"We think we are going to have a vaccine by the end of this year," Trump said during a Fox News town hall on Sunday night. "We're pushing very hard." 

He added that over 70 firms from around the world are currently "close" to having a vaccine ready for public use.

It, however, contradicts estimates from health experts, who claim that the vaccine could take anywhere between 12 and 18 months before it is available to the public.

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