The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the United States will make the next few months “the most difficult in the public health history of this nation,” which would be before the vaccines become available. CDC’s Dr. Robert Redfield said during an event that was hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He claimed that around 9 out of 10 hospitals and long-term care facilities are in places with high infection levels.

“So we are at a very critical time right now about being able to maintain the resilience of our healthcare system. The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times,” Redfield said. “I actually believe they’re going to be the most difficult in the public health history of this nation, largely because of the stress that’s going to be put on our healthcare system,” he added.

The number of deaths because of the coronavirus is rising and is already approaching 1,500 and 2,500 deaths per day which is close to the peak numbers back in April. Redfield emphasized that the current spike in numbers is unlike the other increase in cases before that have been confined to specific areas of the country. This time the spikes are being experienced all over the country.

Moncef Slaoui, the chief science adviser for Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership for creating a vaccine, said that the U.S. government might be able to give a vaccine to its entire population by the middle of next year. Officials have indicated that healthcare workers and vulnerable members of the population might be prioritized when it comes to the distribution of the vaccine.

According to Slaoui, the United States could “have this pandemic under control in the second half of 2021.” He added that with all the other vaccines being developed in other countries, most if not all of the world’s population could be vaccinated by early or middle of 2022. Several companies, including Pfizer, have been developing vaccines that are showing promise.