Dr. Anthony Fauci wants to put to rest concerns that Operation Warp Speed, the government’s program designed to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, compromised on safety or rushed the process in an “inappropriate way.”
During a press briefing at the White House on Thursday, Fauci said, “The process of the speed did not compromise at all safety nor did it compromise scientific integrity.”
“It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advances in these types of vaccines which allowed us to do things in months that actually took years before. So, I really want to settle that concern that people have about that,” he continued.
Fauci also said there was an independent panel with “no allegiance to anyone” that examined the vaccine trial data and “deemed it to be sound.”
He added that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and an advisory committee will also study the data from the vaccine trials before approving an Emergency Use Authorization or a license.
“We need to put to rest any concept that this was rushed in an inappropriate way. This is really solid,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Dr. Fauci says that the quick vaccine production "did not compromise at all safety nor did it compromise scientific integrity":
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 19, 2020
"We need to put to rest any concept that this was rushed in an inappropriate way. This is really solid." pic.twitter.com/TtScSfKn6g
Before the election, Democrats raised concerns that Trump would improperly exert pressure to rush the development of a vaccine to boost his political prospects.
Several Democratic governors have announced they would have an independent panel review the safety of a vaccine. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said, “These are top health experts that will independently review any FDA-approved vaccines.”
“We will do our own independently reviewed process with our world-class experts that just happen to live here in the state of California,” he added.
Since the Nov. 3 election, Pfizer has revealed that the results of its late-stage coronavirus vaccine trial were 95% effective. And Moderna said its vaccine trial is over 94% effective.
While Fauci is seeking to smack down concerns about the safety of a vaccine, President-elect Joe Biden says there may be delays in the distribution of the vaccine unless the Trump administration allows the transition process to begin.
“There’s a whole lot of things that… we just don’t have available to us,” Biden said on Wednesday.
He added, “Which unless is made available soon, we’re going to be behind by weeks or months being able to put together the whole initiative relating to the biggest promise we have with two drug companies coming along and finding 95% effectiveness, efficiency in the vaccines, which is enormous promise.”