November target for COVID-19 vaccine unrelated to U.S. election – HHS Secretary Azar
Sept 3- A targeted timeline of November for distribution of a potential coronavirus vaccine has “nothing to do with elections” as it was set by public health officials, U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar said in an interview with CBS on Thursday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked state public health officials to prepare vaccine…
Sept 3 (Reuters) – A targeted timeline of November for
distribution of a potential coronavirus vaccine has “nothing to
do with elections” as it was set by public health officials,
U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar said in an interview with CBS on
Thursday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasasked state public health officials to prepare vaccinedistribution to high-risk groups as soon as late October orNovember, according to documents published by the agency onWednesday.
This timing has taken on political importance as U.S.President Donald Trump seeks re-election in November.
Azar said https://cbsn.ws/2F5mNc8 the documents sent topublic health officials were done by the CDC to prepare for allcontingencies.
“Nobody involved in this process is ever going to compromiseon making sure that a product someone puts in their body is safeand effective,” Azar said.
The agency is preparing for one or two vaccines for COVID-19to be available in limited quantities as soon as late October.(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru)