At first, experts doubted anyone could pull off "the fastest vaccine ever created."
And they had good reason.
By April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Tens of thousands of people had already died from the novel coronavirus – discovered just a few months prior. And the number of cases kept ticking higher.
The world shut down almost entirely. Schools and restaurants closed. Businesses transitioned to remote work. Local and regional governments issued lockdown orders and strict social-distancing mandates.
But COVID-19 kept spreading like wildfire...
It seemed the only way to stop the outbreak – and get back to any semblance of "normal" – was a vaccine.
Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but some government officials believed we could have one in just 12 to 18 months.
Not everyone was convinced.
"A year to 18 months is very optimistic," warned Johns Hopkins senior lecturer Supriya Munshaw. Dr. Peter Hotez, a leading expert on infectious disease and vaccine development at Baylor College of Medicine, said it would be "absolutely unprecedented."
At the time, no vaccine had ever gone from development to deployment in less than four years. Typically, vaccine development took a decade or more. As Hotez explained, "The trouble is clinical testing is an arduous process... You have to show that the vaccine works in people and is safe in people."
By every historical benchmark, the 12-to-18-month timeline looked fanciful. And yet... it wasn't.
In December 2020, trucks carrying the first doses of the vaccine began rolling out of factories in Michigan – less than a year after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Even more impressive... the vaccine was basically created within a month, with the rest of the time spent on making sure it was safe.
Now, we were able to deploy the vaccine so quickly largely due to the development of mRNA technology – a completely new way to make vaccines.
President Donald Trump's Operation Warp Speed – a $10 billion public-private partnership modeled after the Manhattan Project – likely got the shot into people's arms several months quicker, too.
But there was another, hidden contributor in the race to get the COVID-19 vaccine out...
Artificial intelligence.
Digital tools – driven by AI – changed the rules of the game during the pandemic...
AI was instrumental to the vaccine rollout.
Real-time predictive models guided trial-site selection, telling researchers where outbreaks would strike next... Machine learning helped scientists scan vast datasets and check for anomalies and potential errors nearly in real time... And instead of waiting months, investigators could refresh trial data every four hours.
On top of that, cloud-based technology allowed for remote patient monitoring, avoiding thousands of in-person visits and speeding up trial times... Digital control rooms gave managers a live, end-to-end view of production. And algorithms spotted choke points before they turned into shortages.
What would've taken years of trial and error, fighting through bottlenecks, and tedious management was done in just months.
While AI didn't invent the vaccine, it made it possible to deliver one in record time – without cutting corners.
AI is revolutionizing industries in all corners of the market. While that means you have the chance to make life-changing gains, it could also mean wiping out your portfolio with one unlucky investment.
As big AI companies rush to go public, it's essential you put your money in the right places.
According to my friend and colleague Marc Chaikin (from our corporate affiliate Chaikin Analytics), a "disconnect" in the IPO boom will open the biggest AI money-making opportunity for the next 12 months...
According to Marc, investors are about to be shocked by which AI stocks still have real potential to rise 100% or more... and which are secretly "trash."
He's unveiling all the details next Tuesday. Click here to make sure you don't miss out.
Now, let's get to this week's Q&A... And as always, keep sending your comments, questions, and topic suggestions to feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com. My team and I read every e-mail.
Two Simple Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Q: Hi Doc, is it true that mosquitoes like to bite some people more than others? When I go outside, I'm eaten alive but they never seem to bother my husband. – F.M.
A: Thanks for your question, F.M. There's a common misconception that mosquitoes like "sweet blood." Scientists have concluded that mosquitoes can't smell how sweet your blood is. But the mosquitoes could like you more than your husband for other reasons.
We do know that they're attracted to certain colors and odors. So follow these two tips to avoid these bloodsuckers...
First, protect yourself with your wardrobe. Mosquitoes like dark colors, so stick to lighter-colored outfits. Also, mosquitoes can bite you through tight-fitting clothes, so loose-fitting clothes offer more protection. And tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks, so mosquitoes (and ticks) can't get under your clothes. You might look silly, but it sure beats having those itchy welts for days.
Second, avoid strongly floral or fruit scented aftershave, perfume, and shampoo. Humans may like these smells... but so do mosquitoes.
Some other factors are harder to control. Mosquitoes are attracted to folks who are breathing harder and have more body heat... including larger-bodied people and pregnant women. Different people's skin microbiomes also smell different and some smell more attractive than others. Finally, some folks' immune systems react more strongly to mosquito bites, while others feel less itchy.
But by following my two tips, anyone can get fewer visits from bloodsuckers.
What We're Reading...
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Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
August 14, 2026