As the pandemic reaches new heights, with nearly 12 million cases and 260,000 deaths recorded in the U.S. to date, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon. Moderna and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which are developing vaccines to fight the virus, have released preliminary data suggesting their vaccines are around 95% effective. Manufacturing and distribution is expected to ramp up as soon as the companies seek and receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Representatives from Moderna and Pfizer say the first doses could be available as early as December. But even if the majority of Americans agree to vaccination, the pandemic won't come to a sudden end.