Medical masks template in different angles. To protect coronavirus, infection and contaminated air. Realistic 3D surgical mask. Isolated on white background. Vector illustration

The man many consider to the United States' top infectious disease expert said Americans will probably still need to wear masks and practice social distancing even after a COVID-19 vaccine has been made available.

The vaccine will do a lot to help control the COVID-19 pandemic, but will not totally eliminate it, Dr. Anthony Fauci told senators during a hearing, according to various news reports, including PBS.

Fauci rationalized his beliefs by stating that vaccines are rarely 100 percent effective against what they're intended to deter and that some people will likely avoid getting a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. He also says it will take time for the shots to be distributed thought the United States.

Fauci also told Yahoo! Finance that the primary goal of a vaccine is to prevent those who are infected with COVID-19 from getting sick, which ultimately makes it less likely for them to become seriously ill. He said that he and his colleagues would be happy with an end result where COVID-19 is prevented from being "clinically recognizable."