Catherine

COVID-19 Vaccines Global Scientist, France

What a year. It’s been really tough. My best friend’s father caught COVID and passed away. It was really hard for her. I saw first hand how the disease is affecting people.

I’m Catherine.

What a year. It’s been really tough. My best friend’s father caught COVID and passed away. It was really hard for her. I saw first hand how the disease is affecting people.

Seeing my best friend lose her father has really driven me in my work.I’ve been part of the French and US teams who are working on developing developed COVID-19 Vaccines.

It’s one of the greatest challenges we’ve ever faced, and I’m so proud to take part in the effort to make these vaccines we so urgently need without compromising on safety and effectiveness.

I can understand some people may be nervous about them, but they should rest assured that we are following the same rigorous processes and safety checks that we do with any other vaccine.

Each vaccine is thoroughly tested with tens of thousands of people. The results are then reviewed by independent experts. Only then, are they approved for public use. And they’ll be continually monitored long after by independent regulators.

I’m going to get vaccinated when the time comes. My cousin is a nurse, and she’ll be getting vaccinated soon too. There’s no way I’d let her get a vaccine unless I was confident of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.

I can’t protect my friend’s father anymore. But I can protect others, and I’m proud to be one of the scientists working to develop COVID-19 vaccines.

My friend lost her father, but I will continue the fight.