The vast majority of the public fears that politics, rather than science, are driving the push for an accelerated COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new poll that hints at the obstacles to getting the public to get vaccinated.
The findings in the new survey from STAT and the Harris Poll show that concern about the process is bipartisan, with 82% of Democrats saying they fear the politicization of the vaccine and 72% of Republicans agreeing. Similarly, 83% said they worry about the safety of an accelerated vaccine. Yet when asked if they are confident that the Food and Drug Administration will only approve a COVID-19 vaccine if it is safe, 73% of Democrats and 68% of Republicans said yes.
Concerns that President Trump is politicizing the development and approval processes for a coronavirus vaccine have intensified in recent weeks following his message that “deep state” officials at the FDA have delayed treatments and a vaccine for the coronavirus.
Trump also said in his renomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last week that his administration “will produce a vaccine before the end of the year or maybe even sooner,” which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, has challenged, saying he is “cautiously optimistic” that a vaccine will be ready by early next year.
Stephen Hahn, the FDA commissioner, has been criticized for allegedly bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Last week, the FDA granted emergency use authority to convalescent plasma as a coronavirus treatment, which Trump has touted as being able to save “thousands and thousands of lives,” though its efficacy in treating COVID-19 has not been established.
Most recently, Hahn told the Financial Times on Sunday that the agency would consider granting emergency use authorization or approval for a coronavirus vaccine before Phase 3 clinical trials are complete.
“It is up to the sponsor [vaccine developer] to apply for authorization or approval, and we make an adjudication of their application,” Hahn said. “If they do that before the end of phase three, we may find that appropriate. We may find that inappropriate — we will make a determination.”
Even if the Trump administration approves a vaccine earlier than expected, there is no guarantee that a majority of people would get the shots. The STAT/Harris Poll found that 67% of those surveyed said they would get a vaccine as soon as one is available, but 71% of people reported that they would wait nine months to get vaccinated after it becomes available.
