Senate Democrats on Monday asked Congress to provide $ 25 billion in emergency funding for the production and distribution of a coronavirus vaccine before negotiations on an upcoming response package.
In addition to the development of the vaccine itself, a massive and complex undertaking is required to manufacture the millions of doses needed, ensure the supply of support materials such as needles and syringes, and then distribute the vaccine across the country for people to vaccinate.
Senate minority leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerDemocrats criticizes Trump for displacing Roger Stone: ‘The most corrupt president in history’ Renewed emphasis on government research and development funding needed Data shows seven Senate Democrats have majority non-white staff MORE (DN.Y.) and Sen. Patty murray
Patricia (Patty) Lynn Murray The chairwoman of the Republican Party Health Committee says she disagrees with the WHO’s Trump decision. Lobbying for access to the COVID-19 vaccine Trump officials seek to reassure the public about the safety of a possible coronavirus vaccine MORE (Washington), the top Democrat on the Senate Health Committee, released a white paper on Monday saying the Trump administration needs to do more to plan this venture. They request that the $ 25 billion in funds be included in the next coronavirus response package, which is expected to be collected later this month, as well as policy changes.
They are also asking for a requirement that the administration publish a comprehensive plan for “each phase of the vaccine business” by August 7. A similar Democratic push to require a test administration plan was a point of conflict in a pre-coronavirus response law.
“When it comes to protecting Americans from this pandemic, we cannot afford not to do well,” Schumer said in a statement. “Republicans must join us in this effort and include the funding and policies set forth in this proposal in the next coronavirus response bill.”
Democrats say they want to make sure the vaccine effort is more fluid than the trial effort, which has been hit by shortages of supplies and other problems.
“If the Trump Administration’s vaccination efforts are even as chaotic a fraction as its testing efforts, our country is in serious trouble,” Murray said in a statement.
The $ 25 billion would be used in part to increase production of supplies such as vials, syringes, and rubber stoppers.
Management has already awarded some funding in these areas, but there have been questions about the readiness of some of the award-winning companies. Frontline and The Associated Press reported last week About the new and untested technology for a vaccine injector, you are using an administration-funded company, ApiJect Systems America.
Funding would also go toward establishing new clinics and other vaccination sites across the country, recruiting workers for them, and a communication campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated and combat vaccine misinformation.
Senators also say that Congress should “require the federal government to prioritize vaccine distribution in a way that optimizes public health,” such as prioritizing populations or workers most at risk in the front line of the fight.
To ensure that the vaccine is free to patients, Democrats ask the government to buy and distribute it. On top of that, they say Congress should fill in any gaps in vaccine insurance coverage to make sure it’s free for everyone, including the uninsured.
“Developing, producing, distributing and administering hundreds of millions of vaccine doses quickly and fairly will be a huge challenge, which will require effective management, discipline and transparency,” said Murray. “Unfortunately, this Administration has a poor record on all three.”
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