There is growing evidence that our national health agencies (CDC, FDA and NIH) are becoming politicized. Currently, there are several Covid-19 vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical trials. Two vaccines are in phase 3 trials (the final phase before data is reviewed to determine approval).

There is great concern that these vaccine trials are being "rushed" in order to make a vaccine available before the election in November. Many healthcare professionals have grave concern that a vaccine will be given emergency use authorization before adequate evaluation for efficacy and safety can be completed.

The dangers of approving an inadequately tested vaccine are three fold.

1) Giving vaccinated individuals a false sense of security if the vaccine does not adequately protect against Covid-19

2) Causing harm to individuals who may have an adverse reaction to a vaccine. This is especially true for populations that are / were under-represented in the vaccine trials, such as Black and Hispanic people, pregnant women and children. This includes the possibility for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in which a vaccine can paradoxically make the disease worse (as was seen with the RSV, H1N1 and Dengue vaccines)

3) Worsening the problem of vaccine hesitancy. This is a perilous time. Many of our patients are already refusing vaccines that HAVE been meticulously studied and been found to be both safe and effective. The thought of releasing a vaccine which is later shown to be problematic will reduce future confidence in all vaccines and quite simply worsen public health.

We need to demonstrate to our elected officials that as healthcare professionals, we believe in the words of the oath we took  "Primum non nocere" First, do no harm. We demand that the Covid-19 vaccine approval process be completely free from political interference. The only way to accomplish that is with the establishment of a non government vaccine approval commission.