Health Secretary Alex Azar dismisses Biden criticism of vaccine distribution approach as ‘nonsense’
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar rejected President-elect Joe Biden’s recent criticism of the feds’ plans for the coronavirus vaccine, saying distribution could start in the coming days.
“With all respect, that’s just nonsense,” Azar said of Biden’s criticism on “Fox News Sunday.” “We have comprehensive plans from the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] working with 64 public health jurisdictions across the country.”
In Friday remarks in Delaware, Biden depicted the Trump administration as clueless.
“There is no detailed plan, that we’ve seen anyway, as to how you get the vaccine out of a container, into an injection syringe, into somebody’s arm,” the Democrat said.
The comments echoed recent criticism from Gov. Cuomo, who’s said by relying on hospitals and the private sector for vaccine distribution, the feds risk perpetuating inequities during the outbreak, which has harmed communities of color at disproportionately high rates.
“This is being micromanaged and controlled by the United States military, as well as our incredible private sector,” Azar said of vaccine distribution.
A Food and Drug Administration panel is expected to grant emergency authorization for a vaccine created by Pfizer this Thursday. It will evaluate a vaccine made by Moderna next week.