After a virtual briefing Wednesday with public health experts on developing and distributing a coronavirus vaccine, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, said President Trump must answer three questions about the process, otherwise Americans shouldn't trust his word if one receives federal approval in the not-so-distant future under the current administration.
Biden wants to know "what criteria will be used to ensure that a vaccine meets the scientific standard of safety and effectiveness," as well as "who will validate that the decision" to green light a vaccine "was driven by science rather than politics." Finally, Biden demanded Trump explain how "the distribution of the vaccine will take place safely, cost-free, and without a hint of favoritism."
Later on Wednesday, Trump repeated calls for Biden "to stop promoting his anti-vaccine theories."
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Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), would likely bristle at being labeled anti-vaxxers, although both have expressed concerns that the Trump administration is rushing a vaccine for political purposes. But they've also suggested that if the scientific community independently promotes the safety and efficacy of a vaccine candidate, they'd receive the inoculation. "Let me be clear," Biden said Wednesday. "I trust vaccines, I trust scientists, but I don't trust Donald Trump." Read more at Axios.
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