The coronavirus pandemic has now raged in the U.S. for more than five months, and the burning question is when will a vaccine become available. 

In an interview with NY1's Roma Torre this morning, Dr. Jennifer Haythe, a critical care cardiologist and co-director of the Women’s Center for Cardiovascular Health at Columbia, said potential vaccines must be rigorously tested before being made available to the public.

She also said the scientific community still has much to learn when it comes to COVID-19, and reports of patients who have experienced long-lasting symptoms are concerning.

"We're not going to be able to understand this disease full until we've treated it and managed it for a much longer period of time," Haythe said. She added the she expects a vaccine will not be available on a mass basis for another year.

Meanwhile, parents are still looking to understand if they can safely send their children back to school.​ Haythe said it remains to be seen how safe the classroom is for children. She said that while children and youth may be able to handle the virus better than older or more vulnerable populations, the major concern is the potential to increase transmission.

Haythe, a cardiologist, said the cardiac effects of COVID-19 are real and that the impact can be long-term.