![(FILES) In this file photo Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci speaks during an unscheduled briefing after a Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the White House on April 5, 2020, in Washington, DC. US President-elect Joe Biden on December 3, 2020 said he had asked the government's top infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci to remain in his post and join his Covid-19 team after he takes office. "I asked him to stay on in the exact same role he's had for the past several presidents," Biden said in an interview with CNN, referring to the expert who outgoing President Donald Trump had suggested he would fire after the election. / AFP / Eric BARADAT](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EDNUT2GXEMDR7J5GYIHY2LLB3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=6fb50009fe00fbbf08a48d787c01a88bc822e27f9a6718f4f31912375a76a162&width=400&height=225)
Anthony Fauci has backtracked since criticising the British announcement approving the Pfizer vaccine. AFP
Anthony Fauci has backtracked since criticising the British announcement approving the Pfizer vaccine. AFP
It's too early to say who will win the vaccine hurdle race
Despite the obvious good news, there remains a daunting series of challenges ahead and the death toll continues to be high