STAT Plus: Pressure mounts on FDA chief to stick with science for Covid-19 vaccine approvals
As pressure mounts to develop a successful Covid-19 vaccine, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn insisted any agency approval would “adhere to standards” that ensure safety and effectiveness. But Hahn left the door open to a so-called emergency use authorization, raising concerns the FDA might still face political pressure to approve a vaccine before the November elections.
His remarks appeared late Wednesday in an op-ed in the Washington Post just as nearly 400 health experts and scientists released an open letter that was sent to Hahn and urged a “transparent and rigorous FDA approval process that is devoid of political considerations.” The letter was organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.