in late february 2020, the world health organization (who) said it did not expect a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2), the causative virus, to become available in less than 18 months. the coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations (cepi)which is organizing a billion worldwide fund for fast investment and creation of vaccine candidatesindicated in april that a vaccine may be available under emergency use protocols in less than 12 months or by early 2021. on 4may 2020, the who organized a telethon (fundraising event broadcasted via televisions) to raise billion from forty countries to support rapid development of vaccines to prevent covid-19 infections and deaths. the united states government started operation warp speed to develop a vaccine by january 2021.