TRUMP INSISTS COVID VACCINE POSSIBLE BY NOV. 3

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday it was possible the United States would have a coronavirus vaccine before the Nov. 3 election, a more optimistic forecast on timing than anything suggested by his own White House health experts, Doina Chiacu wrote for Reuters late on August 6, 2020. 

Asked on the Geraldo Rivera radio program when a vaccine might be ready, Trump said, “Sooner than the end of the year, could be much sooner,” adding it could be sooner than Nov. 3. “I think in some cases, yes possible before, but right around that time,” Trump said in what appeared to be an attempt to deride the estimate of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. government infectious diseases official, who said in a Reuters interview on Wednesday that there might be an indication that at least one vaccine works and is safe by year end. 

Democrats in the House of Representatives on Thursday introduced legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consult with a panel of experts to ensure a vaccine doesn’t get rammed through too fast. The panel, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, is made up of experts from academia, industry and government. 

While a quick vaccine is essential, bill sponsor US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said “it is even more important that quality is not sacrificed for speed in testing and evaluating any such vaccine.”