AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) Chief Scientific Officer Ross McKinney, Jr., MD and AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement on the approval of COVID-19 vaccines:
“To maintain public faith in a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as to optimally assure the safety and effectiveness of new products for widespread public distribution, the AAMC recommends that the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluate any candidate vaccines prior to the FDA issuing an emergency use authorization.
Full approval of a new vaccine or biologic requires demonstration of safety and effectiveness through a process that includes evaluation by the VRBPAC. Their recommendations are considered by FDA staff who ultimately have the authority to approve the new product.
Stopping the COVID-19 pandemic demands our best science and our best approval processes. The health of our nation depends on it.”