Public Losing Confidence in FDA as Coronavirus Vaccine Nears

By Dana Cruz Sep 10 2020, 06:26 AM EDT

The public is starting to lose trust in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as coronavirus vaccine makers near the final stages of clinical trials, a new poll said.

Health Professionals At Work During their Shift at the ICU of Mater Dei Hospital in Belo Horizonte Amidst the Coronavirus (COVID 19) Pandemic — A medical team employee prepares vaccine at the ICU of Mater Dei hospital amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on June 23, 2020 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

According to Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 60 percent of Americans are worried that political pressure from the White House will lead the FDA to rush a coronavirus vaccine.

Many fear that the FDA will approve a coronavirus vaccine without making sure it is safe and effective.

The poll data also showed that the public is so concerned about politics that 54 percent of Americans are hesitant about vaccinating themselves. Kaiser said many wouldn't want to get vaccinated if the drug was approved before the election day.

Meanwhile, 42 percent of their respondents said they want to get vaccinated regardless of the possible rush.

Drew Altman, president of the foundation said in a statement that "public skepticism about the FDA and the process of approving a vaccine is eroding public confidence."

Of the 62 percent of participants who worry about pressure from the Trump administration on the FDA, Democrats were the most doubtful at 81 percent. They were followed by independents at 61 percent and Republicans at 35 percent.

The Stat News reported that most of the U.S.'s top health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci are also losing public trust. The drop is most prominent among U.S. Republicans.

FDA, CDC Face Political Pressure

Apart from the FDA, Kaiser data showed that the public is also concerned about the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

They found that 42 percent of Americans said that the CDC was "paying too much attention to politics." The FDA also faced the same criticism with 39 percent questioning the vaccine review process.

When the CDC told states to be ready for COVID-19 vaccine distribution by November, many health experts grew suspicious. The deadline they set was only two days away from the election day.

President Trump has also said repeatedly that he expects a vaccine at around the same time, the Forbes reported.

Some believe the effort was an effort by the Trump administration to hype their coronavirus efforts in time for a possible reelection. As such, many suspect even an ineffective or harmful vaccine could get approval from the FDA.

To add to the looming doubt is the FDA's history with doubtful authorizations. Last March, they approved chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for COVID-19. They later took their approval back after the drugs showed adverse effects on COVID-19 patients.

Vaccines usually take years of clinical trials, but vaccines to fight the coronavirus are moving forward at a fast pace.

Coronavirus Vaccine Makers Near End of Trials

Some drug makers are already at phase three trials like Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. But AstraZeneca had to halt its trial due to a safety concern with one of its volunteers.

With the doubts rising among many U.S. residents, the drugmakers issued a drafted pledge. In it, they assured the public that they are not rushing the development of coronavirus vaccines.

Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna Inc. joined the pledge, while AstraZeneca issued a statement saying they will "put patients first."