There continues to be doubt spread about the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine due to the rapid progress of several vaccine candidates.
This is uncalled for because Moderna/NIH, Pfizer/BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax—all in Phase 3 trials—are upholding their commitments to thoroughly review their work before submitting results for approval to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has promised to only approve a vaccine for public use that adheres to typical safety standards and proves to be at least 50 percent effective. In short terms, we will not have a vaccine that doesn’t cross every “T” and dot every “I”. There are no shortcuts being made.
Operation Warp Speed is vastly expediting the vaccine review process and is still adhering to safety standards. Typically, we would have to wait 10 years for a vaccine to be approved. Once it is ready, I’ll roll up my sleeve and take it alongside my fellow Americans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for how to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos safely.
The Department of Health and Human Services rolled out a saliva test option through the community-based testing site program in Waco, Texas.
Texas Updates The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) submitted its draft vaccine distribution plan to the CDC for approval, in preparation for the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
DSHS announced its partnership with the University of Texas Health Science Center to conduct a study that will help determine the proportion of Texans with COVID-19 antibodies.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued an emergency rule to permit currently licensed hospitals to temporarily designate a specific part of the hospital for use as an off-site inpatient care facility by another licensed hospital.
