Gates calls for 'new way of doing' vaccines since they don't 'block transmission' of COVID

“You know, we didn’t have vaccines that block transmission. We got vaccines that help you with your health, but they only slightly reduced transmission,” Gates says

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: November 11, 2021 10:55am

Updated: November 11, 2021 12:58pm

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called for a "new way of doing the vaccines" against viruses like COVID-19 given that they do not "block" transmission.

Gates said the "economic damage" and death toll from COVID-19 was "completely horrific."

Gates expects the world's experience with COVID-19 to lead to larger research and development budgets to better prepare for a future pandemic.

“You know, we didn’t have vaccines that block transmission. We got vaccines that help you with your health, but they only slightly reduced transmission,” he said during a Policy Exchange discussion published on Nov. 5. “We need a new way of doing the vaccines. We didn't get much in the way of therapeutics."

Gates said in 5 years he hopes to write a book, titled, "We are ready for the next pandemic."