Joe Biden Urges Donald Trump To Pledge He'll Heed Scientists On Vaccine Safety
Amid fears that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will rush the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccine in response to pressure from President Donald Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wants clarification from the agency on how it will decide whether such a treatment is ready ― and a vow from Trump to do what the FDA’s scientists recommend.
The demands were among several conditions the Biden campaign on Tuesday said the federal government must satisfy in order to guarantee a “safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.”
The list urged an uncensored report from the government scientists making the recommendation; a similarly uncensored report from an outside committee that advised FDA on vaccine safety; raw data from testing so that outside scientists can validate the results; and a public statement vouching for the vaccine from Anthony Fauci, the widely respected director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who also serves on the White House coronavirus task force.
Biden also wants the administration to make clear ― now ― how it plans to distribute the vaccine, once it’s available. Trump needs to commit, that “every American — not just the wealthy and well-connected — receives the vaccine and communities of color are not left out,” the former vice president’s campaign said.
The backdrop for these demands is widespread concern that Trump, seeking a boost right before the Nov. 3 election, will push the FDA to approve a vaccine before scientists believe the data from clinical trials justifies such an OK.
Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, “feel very strongly that the scientific process needs to be independent and free of political interference,” David Kessler, a former FDA commission and an adviser to the Democratic ticket, said on a conference call.
Kessler went on to note instances when the FDA appeared to be buckling to White House pressure for a splashy...
