Virus whistleblower tells lawmakers US lacks vaccine plan
Source: AP
WASHINGTON Whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright warned on Thursday that the U.S. lacks a plan to produce and fairly distribute a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available. The nation could face the darkest winter in modern history unless leaders act decisively, he told a congressional panel.
Bright alleges he was ousted from a high-level scientific post after warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic.
Testifying Thursday, Bright said, We don't have (a vaccine plan) yet, and it is a significant concern. Asked if lawmakers should be worried, Bright responded, absolutely.
Bright, a vaccine expert who led a biodefense agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, said the country needs a plan to establish a supply chain for producing tens of millions of doses of a vaccine, and then allocating and distributing them fairly. He said experience so far with an antiviral drug that has been found to benefit COVID-19 patients has not given him much confidence about distribution. Hospital pharmacies have reported problems getting limited supplies.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/virus-whistleblower-tells-lawmakers-us-lacks-vaccine-plan/ar-BB143tLz?li=BBnb7Kz
ArizonaLib
(1,242 posts)for a vaccine to magically appear
dweller
(23,661 posts)"produce and fairly distribute a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available."
instead of 'fairly'
🤔
✌🏼
C Moon
(12,221 posts)Trump will get his hands on the vaccines, and distribute as he sees fit: red states, and rich people.
Then he'll probably give placebos to the ones going to blue states.
Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)There are a number of vaccines in development - human trials have started over a month ago. I know of at least two for which they are ramping up for production, in anticipation that the trials will be successful. I believe the US government is funding at least one of them.
https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-announces-funding-award-cepi-accelerate-development
https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-announces-award-us-government-agency-barda-483-million
https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-announces-collaboration-to-expand-manufacturing-capabilities-for-its-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-in-support-of-the-companys-goal-to-supply-more-than-one-billion-vaccine-doses-globally
ThoughtCriminal
(14,049 posts)production and distribution after approval require funding and planning.
Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)with Moderna getting government funding for it (not sure about the other companies, but they would probably be happy to get a check for $483 million as well). This is being done BEFORE approval, with the government seemingly taking the risk that approval might never occur.
I don't know what is in the works for distribution. Here is an interesting link from the CDC about distribution of the annual flu vaccine https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaxdistribution.htm
Initech
(100,102 posts)duforsure
(11,885 posts)That's a win /win no matter what he uses as an excuse for refusing. If he did he would lie, and he knows that too. Dr Fuici and Dr Bright testified, even Hillary did for hours testify under oath, and trump is too scared to. What a fraud . HE can be critical of others while he refuses to go before the House under oath for the American people to see for themselves, all he is is a fraud.
machoneman
(4,010 posts)HHS senior leaders and others in Trump's orbit. Only Trade Repr. Peter Navarro escaped unscathed.
Please read the transcripts or repeat videos of the whole thing. Well worth it.