House Democrats accused in commission of overseeing the federal government’s response to the coronavirus on Thursday announced an investigation into “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration’s efforts to accelerate the development and distribution of a vaccine .
Why it matters: In an effort to spread a vaccine rapidly, the Trump administration initially purchased batches from a handful of pharmaceutical companies before they knew if they were safe and effective, reports Axios’ Bob Herman.
What they say: The commission is concerned that Moncef Slaoui, a former Moderna executive and scientist leading the administration’s fax effort, has financial interests that could undermine the ethics and public confidence of a vaccinee, wrote House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn ( DS.C.) in a letter to HHS.
- Clyburn also said he was concerned that vaccine candidates selected under Operation Warp Speed would exclude experts and lack transparency.
The other side: FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn addressed concerns about the integrity of a coronavirus vaccine in the medical journal JAMA last week, saying that “there is a line that separates government resources and funding from the processes of the coronavirus.” FDA.
- A HHS spokesman pointed out that Slaoui would lay off his own stake in Moderna in early May before joining Operation Warp Speed. The chief adviser of HHS secretary Alex Azar for the vaccine project has also “left all advisory offices and boards of directors of companies with even the appearance of conflict,” the spokesman said.
- Operation Warp Speed selects candidates based on how well they meet criteria regarding safety, effectiveness and large-scale distribution requirements, the spokesman said.
Background: Slaoui has maintained his status as a government contractor while leading the administration’s race to distribute a vaccine, enabling him to retain investment in pharmaceutical companies and prevent revelations about ethics, the New York Times reports.
- The HHS inspector general said in July that it does not require Slaoui to adhere to the ethical rules where federal employees are bound, citing his unusual role, per the Times.
Go deeper: How the US can spread a coronavirus vaccine
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with comments from the HHS.
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