Congressman Krishnamoorthi On FDA Vaccine Advisory Panel Review Of COVID-19 Vaccine Data: “Science Prevailed Over Politics”

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to today's meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) on Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine:

"Today, science prevailed over politics, as the independent vaccine experts on FDA's VRBPAC advisory committee carefully assessed the safety and efficacy of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine during nearly 10 hours of open public session.

This comes after months of the President attempting to pressure public health officials to rush and hastily approve a vaccine, contributing to public skepticism around vaccines in the process.

After my Oversight Subcommittee's investigation and the introduction of the EVALUATE Act, my legislation to require VRBPAC review, FDA officials finally committed not to rush a vaccine and to undergo public VRBPAC review despite White House meddling.

VRBPAC's vote in favor of recommending emergency authorization gives me confidence in the Pfizer vaccine, and this independent review will also play a key role in reassuring the public as to the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine as we work toward universal inoculation and, ultimately, ending this pandemic."