Analysis
The Trump Administration announced its plan for distributing and administering a COVID-19 vaccine once one becomes available. The release materials are two-fold, containing first a Report to Congress on its overall strategy, along with a complementary operational playbook for states. Overall, the plan discusses elements around plans for centrally distributing the vaccine; how state and local governments will be partners in this effort; how phased-in administration of the vaccine will target prioritized populations first; why communications around vaccine promotion are necessary for broad uptake; and its approach for monitoring vaccine distribution and administration in real-time.
While this is the most comprehensive plan seen from the administration to-date, stakeholders may still be left with certain questions around specific details. For example, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) remarked at a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education hearing earlier this morning that the report does not represent a “comprehensive, end-to-end national plan” that she and others have called for. Specifically, she noted that “important details on research and review – like what standards FDA would use to authorize a vaccine for emergency use; development – like how we make sure disparities are addressed in clinical trials; and manufacturing – like how we address supply chain issues and avoid bottle necks” are still needed.