Covid-19 Vaccine: Companies could issue the pledge as early as next week. (Figurative)
Several COVID-19 vaccine developers, including Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna Inc, plan to issue a public pledge not to seek government approval until their candidate vaccines are shown to be safe and effective, the Wall Street Journal reported. Friday.
The companies would commit to adhere to high scientific and ethical standards in conducting clinical studies and in their manufacturing processes, the Journal report said, citing a draft joint statement that is still being finalized.
The companies could issue the pledge as early as early next week, the report added, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The news comes amid growing concern that political pressure ahead of the Nov. 3 election could affect the safety and efficacy of a possible vaccine for the respiratory disease.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday that while the stakes are high for President Donald Trump, who is facing former Vice President Joe Biden, there is no political pressure on the US health regulator. quickly approve a vaccine.
AstraZeneca Plc, Pfizer and Moderna are among the most advanced in the race to develop vaccines to prevent or limit COVID-19 infection, and their candidates are in late-stage clinical trials.
Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
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