number one and thank you for joining
this Operation Warp Speed Media
briefing today . As we approach the
rollout of safe and effective vaccines ,
we'll continue to be using these
briefings to share the latest
information we have with the American
people and our partners at all levels
of government and in the private sector .
In that same vein , yesterday we held
the first of a regular Siris of O . W s
focused briefings with governors ,
which included myself , General Purna
and our vaccine chief , Dr Matt Hepburn .
This was a technical level briefing
with governors . This , of course , is
in addition to the almost weekly
briefings that the vice president
chairs with our governors , where
Operation warp speed and vaccine and
therapeutic distribution have been a
regular topic of discussion . The past
several days of seen a continuing
torrent of good news around Covad 19
vaccines . On Friday , Pfizer submitted
data for an emergency use authorization
by the FDA , which means that we could
begin distributing millions of
authorized vaccines in just a few weeks .
Then , yesterday morning , AstraZeneca
announced promising data from its
trials in the UK and Brazil through
operation warp speed . We have purchase
agreements for up to 300 million doses
of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the
American people . As all of these
pieces come together , we want to try
to give Americans the best sense of
when our most vulnerable will start
receiving vaccines . As many of you
know , the FDA has said it will consult
with its independent vaccine Advisory
board before making a decision on
emergency use authorization for a Covad
19 vaccine , and they have now
scheduled a meeting for December 10th .
If all goes well , we could be
distributing vaccine soon after
December 10th , as General Purna has
shared , we believe we can distribute
vaccine all 64 jurisdictions within 24
hours of FDA authorization . Then we
hope Administration could begin as soon
as the product arrives . One of the
private sector partners we've enlisted ,
CVS Health , has said that they expect
to be vaccinating residents of nursing
homes one of the top priority groups
within 48 hours after FDA authorization .
To ensure all of this can happen on
such incredibly tight timeframes , O .
W s and our partners have been running
not only tabletop exercises but actual
field exercises for the shipment
procedures . This week , for instance ,
we will be making test shipments with
the ordering system that states we use
that is , performing shipments that
don't contain actual product in order
to ensure that all goes smoothly .
These are the kinds of procedures you
put in place to ensure a seamless
logistical operation . And we're so
grateful for the expertise that the U .
S military on our private partners have
brought to this task well , much of our
briefing today is focused on vaccines .
I want to note that Operation Warp
speed continues to charge ahead on
therapeutics , and our therapeutic
options continue to expand . We have
already distributed more than 120,000
courses of Eli Lilly's monoclonal
antibody treatment through state health
departments to more than 2400 treatment
sites across America . We've allocated
another 50,000 courses which will ship
this week . Then , following FDA is
authorization of Regeneron's antibody
cocktail . This past weekend , we began
distribution of the 1st 35,000 doses
of that product Today . This means
we have two new options for Americans
who aren't hospitalized with Covad 19
but are at risk of progressing to
severe disease . I encourage everyone
to spread the word if you test positive
for Covad 19 and are over 65
or have underlying conditions that put
you at high risk for severe disease ,
you may have access to a treatment that
can help you , and you should get in
touch with your health care provider or
state health department . Toward the
end of last week , FDA also granted an
emergency use authorization for the use
of Barrys . It nib on anti inflammatory
drug in conjunction with Romney .
Severe for hospitalized patients . This
was based on results from N . I . H s
act to trial , coordinated with
Operation Warp Speed , which found that
there was a statistically significant
reduction in hospital stay for that
drug combination versus Romney . Severe
alone . This is a product that is
already widely available in the United
States . Over 250,000 people
have received convalescent plasma .
It's critical that we keep our supplies
up to meet demand . Please ask your
viewers , readers and listeners if
they're within three months of recovery
from co vid 19 . Please consider giving
the gift of life this holiday season .
Go to coronavirus dot gov . The fight
is in us dot org's Contact your local
American Red Cross or your local
American blood center to be a donor .
All of this good news should encourage
all of us to continue keeping ourselves ,
our families and our communities safe .
Remember the three W's . Wash your
hands , watch your distance where your
face coverings when you can't watch
your distance and avoid settings where
you can't do those things with
Thanksgiving this week , I encourage
Americans to consult Cedric's
recommendations and guidelines to
understand the risks around gatherings
and how you can reduce those risks . I
know that the possibility of not being
able to see family and friends over the
holiday is heartbreaking for all of us .
But because of the president's support
of Operation warp speed , because of
the incredible work of the U . S .
Military , public servants at every
level of government and the brilliance
of American scientists , we have an end
in sight , and we have much happier
holidays in the near future . American
people can be confident that hope and
help are on the way . With that , I'll
hand things over to Dr Moncef Slowey to
discuss updates on vaccine development .
Dr . Sloppy . Thank you , Mr Secretary .
Maybe maybe just a few words very
quickly . with Don't answer your
questions . After also , the General
Purna gives you an update . A few words
about the AstraZeneca face retrial
Things have been very interesting and
encouraging data . The fact that one
part of the trial has demonstrated 90%
efficacy further reinforces
the observations with Pfizer on Moderna
vaccines that this virus can be very ,
very strongly protected against . And I
think that's very important for
everybody to understand and hopefully
will help the majority of the US
population , too . Stay with an open
mind in terms of accepting to be
vaccinated . Stay to listen to all the
data that will be shared transparently
through the FDA reviews with its
advisory committee off the fighter
vaccine . As Mr Secretary said on
December 10th and off the Moderna
vaccine , more or less a week later on ,
hopefully these vaccines will become
available . The AstraZeneca face Treats
right had also more intriguing data in
that a certain particular schedule off
immunization in terms of those that has
yielded an efficacy that was somewhat
less 62% . And when the two combined
together , a knave ridge of about 70%
protection has bean achieved . These
observations and data were generated
from clinical trials run in the UK and
in Brazil we have a face retrial
running here in the U . S . It has
already recruited more than 11,000
subjects into it . Unfortunately , the
pandemic in the U . S . Is progressing
so fast that it is very likely that
this trial , not long from now , may
have enough evidence generated within
it to assess the efficacy off the
vaccines as administered here . We are ,
of course , also reviewing in depth
with the AstraZeneca , an Oxford teams
ALS the specifics of the data generated
to understand what difference there is
between the schedule that gives the 62%
efficacy and one that gives 90%
efficacy . On the therapeutic side ,
I'd like to also add one element of
information to the information that Mr
Secretary gave , which is a new
important one , I think , in the sense
that Merck , large U S . Pharmaceutical
company has acquired a small biotech
company called Encore Immune that we
have identified about 78 weeks ago as
holding data with a particular program
in their portfolio that are really
impressive in that in the interim
analysis of their face streets , while
that was ongoing . They had over 50%
relative reduction in the risk of
mortality in patients that had severe
hospitalized but not yet intubated
condition with covered 19 . This
acquisition is something that we have
participated to make happen in
connecting the company , the small
company that has 10 10 people working
in it with Merck as a mean to help
accelerate the development off this
therapeutic important therapeutic for
us patients . And finally , the last
point I'd like to make is to invite
as many volunteers as possible to
please come and participate into the
vaccine trials if you are healthy and
particularly if you correspond to the
at risk populations over the age of 65
with commerce abilities or if you are
parts off the rich , diversity off
populations in the United States , it
is through your generous participation
in clinical trials that we are able to
generate and understand the performance
of our vaccines and help us make them
available faster and better for all of
you . Thank you . I'll pass on now to
General Purna for a brief update .
Thanks , Dr Slowly . And of course , Mr
Secretary , thanks for the opportunity
to be part of this so Good morning ,
everybody . Um , want to say thanks for
participation , Aziz . Both my
secretary and Dr Slowly said it's
really just important that we're able
to get the message out on a routine
basis . So thank you for that . Last
week I talked about our distribution in
our method just as a recap . You know ,
we chose a whole of America approach in
distribution for two reasons . One , we
wanted the experts who know how to do
this , uh , to help us plan and be a
part of it to ensure that we had the
right capability and capacity . So from
Pfizer , Madonna , McKesson trucking
through FedEx ups , uh , down to the
pharmacy such as CVS and Walgreens , Uh ,
and many others . The intent was to
integrate , synchronized and
capitalized on known
professionals who know how to execute
this . Our cornerstone is the CDC .
These experts know how to distribute
vaccines . They do it annually on . We
were able to take all their lessons
learned over the years and apply them
into the plan . Second reason we chose
this whole of America approach is we
wanted the American people toe have
confidence in the process . Uh , not to
be afraid of or enamored by all the
grandiose schemes . But yet just know
that the common names of America are
distributing the vaccine to them , and
that when they have the vaccine
administered , it will be in locations
that they're comfortable with . Local
hospitals , doctors offices , local
pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens or
private pharmacies supporting rural
areas areas . So again , it was about
making sure we have the capability and
capacity and to giving the American
people the confidence that the vaccine
will be delivered in a timely and
routine manner . So today , with that
said , I'd like to talk about three
things . One our allocation strategy to
the Pfizer testing that they've been
doing and moving their product around
the nation in their containers and then
three . How are we actually managing
ultra cold storage ? I think three
points . The highlight that would help
you see the specificity of the things
we're doing . So first allocation
numbers went to the 64 jurisdictions
and five federal agencies last Friday ,
in fact , that we hit the button at 11
35 PM or 23 35 military
time , and that information went out to
all the jurisdictions and five agencies
through Tiberius each received their
allocation of the vaccine so that they
can plan on figure out where they want
the vaccine to be distributed to . As a
reminder , we are able to distribute
the vaccine to any location in any
jurisdiction that has been enrolled as
a provider . We're not constrained by
numbers . It could be one . It could be
1000 or beyond as long as they are a
enrolled provider on the state approves
them . Uh , and they have the minimum
requirement of the vaccine , which is
975 doses by Pfizer and 100 doses by
Madonna . We collectively , with this
whole of America approach , can deliver
anywhere in America to that end .
Second , we have maintained a minimum
safety stock , but on Lee to assess the
initial distribution of the vaccine to
ensure that all everybody understands
the process , understands the clarity
of requirements for ultra cold storage
on , understands how to utilize and
administer the vaccine . But once we're
confident that that the jurisdictions
air confident , then we will release
the safety stock to ensure maximum use
in the country . We have provided and
we're working with each of
administration or jurisdictions right
now methods to plan on , then figure
out allocation within the States
through the system we call Tiberius .
We have been working with the
jurisdictions for quite some time now .
Partner at the 500 level on how to run
scenarios toe actually determine where
they put their allocation of vaccine ,
uh , to the best advantage in following
f d a . You A guidance as well as C D .
C uh , a sip guidance this way
that the leadership of the state has a
maximum capability and capacity to plan ,
look through different scenarios and
then make a final decision to best
impact the people of the United States .
Really powerful system toe . Help us
lead our way through execution and not
react . We will be sending ,
um , after we send the initial push of
the vaccine here . A pendant you a .
Then we'll be on a steady drumbeat of
sending allocations to the
jurisdictions every week . Right ?
We'll allocate vaccines . Jurisdictions
will be allowed Thio go in 24 7
and order and distribute the vaccine to
where they want it on . Then the
following day , we'll be able to get it
to the locations that they designate
really hard work . Great
collaboration with both HHS
Department of Defense and Industry to
get this right . But I'm very , very
confident that we have a solid plan and
that we have the ability to to observe ,
watch , monitor , adjust , uh , to meet
the requirements , um , has been
specified , uh , through the through
the states . So very difficult
challenge . We're working on this
constantly . We work rehearsals of
different , um uh , scenarios to make
sure we're capturing all the nuances of
the delivery . But each and every week
we get stronger . It's it's not lost .
Anybody listening ? We're one week
closer to distributing the vaccine .
We're one week closer to refining to
the exactness that we need the have to
do this on . I'm very confident in that
process . So the second thing I'd like
to talk to you about is the Pfizer
initiated tests really remarkable . You
know , we do this all the time in the
Department of Defense . It's one of our
strengths . We know how to plan . We
know how to rehearse . Uh , I was
equally excited . Toe watch . Pfizer
and Madonna go through similar
processes to make sure that their
product is right to begin with . But
most importantly , we can get it where
it needs to be when it's time , uh , to
get it out to the American people .
Pfizer is really implementing a very
aggressive approach to figuring out how
to get their product out to the
administration sites as designated by
the states . They're running dry
rehearsals . Aziz . We like to call it
in d o D . This way they run through
the actual process of registering
product through a jurisdiction . Then
they deliver the product . Then they
walk the administration sites through
the actual opening on . How do they
manage the product out of the container ?
Really powerful to watch and see
people learning . Pfizer is capturing
lessons learned , and they're putting
it in training product fact sheets , as
well as creating YouTube like videos
for everybody to observe and monitor .
We started small at four locations . We
recently expanded the 10 locations . Uh ,
we're going to go to the remaining 54
locations , uh , to ensure that
everybody has an understanding of this .
What we have found in general is
initial hesitation once the product is
received . But as Pfizer has walked ,
uh , the administration sites through
the execution , we see growing
confidence in everybody that's using it
on . That has been the story throughout
every , uh , rehearsal so far
again , we have to walk through
everybody to make sure everybody is
confident in it . But I think I
personally have gone through the
process I've managed . I've actually
put my hands in the box . I pulled
trays out . I've watched and I've timed
myself in execution . Uh , it is a very ,
very doable process . Are professionals
both medical attn medical level and
then at the pharmacy level are very
well versed on how to do this . It is
not the first time , Andi . I feel the
confidence in the reinforcement through
our rehearsals are training products
and then actual execution will create a
steady level of confidence for the
final , full and complete
administration of the vaccine . So well
done by Pfizer on Madonna getting ready
to do summer acts accordingly . So
last but not least , it is about the
ultra cold storage of the vaccine .
We've all heard Visor vaccine has a
requirement of 88 minus 80 degrees ,
right at ultra cold storage . This
freezer is , uh , important , but not
to a limiting limiting end . In other
words , Pfizer has created a container ,
which is augmented with dry ice that
maintains the vaccine at the
appropriate level . Uh , in doing so ,
they have enabled the extension of
vaccine storage at the rights to
maintain the right stability for up to
20 days . Really a tremendous effort ,
as I just described in the training
that they're doing to ensure that the
vaccine is available on stable and
appropriate for administration . Uh ,
and we feel confident that if states
plan to the right dosage at the right
locations , that the drumbeat , the
cadence , the administration of vaccine
to the minimum amount , which is 975
doses , is very doable within the 20
days . Uh , clearly , we have to have a
plan . Clearly , we have to hold
ourselves accountable to administering
that . But it is a plan that could be
done on . We feel confident in talking
with the jurisdictions that they've
worked through these details , uh , to
ensure that the vaccine is used
appropriately on without any waste ,
which is the biggest important factor
for us . So a challenge , yes , but it
should not hold us back from
administering a very good vaccine to
the American people . Madonna eyes a
different case there . At minus 20
degrees , uh , minus 20 degrees is
equivalent to a normal kitchen ,
refrigerator , freezer or a freezer
that is most commonly found in most
pharmacies , etcetera . It has greater
stability and that it could go into the
refrigeration for up to 30 days . Yes ,
So it becomes a vaccine that its
administration becomes easier to do on
it will enable us to get to many places
throughout the country . As we've
talked about before , from inner city ,
out to rural America , it produces an
advantage to that end . But I will tell
you that I believe the jurisdictions
already they've been well informed on
the information of both vaccines . Both
requirements for cold chain storage .
They have , uh , added capability and
capacity has required they have trained
people to administer it . Uh , they
have contacted pharmacies for support ,
like Walgreens and CVS toe . Help them
on . We're well on our way to
successfully administering both
vaccines to the American people in the
near future . So , Mr Secretary , that
concludes my comments . Thank you ,
general . And at this point , we'll
take questions from the media
pressure . A reminder this call is
recorded . If you would like to ask a
question , please press star one from
your phone a new airline and speak your
name clearly when prompted . Your name
is needed to introduce the question .
Please limit to one question so we can
try to address all questions today . If
you would like to withdraw your
question , please press star to again .
If you would like to ask a question ,
please Press star 11 moment , please .
As we wait for any questions , our
first question will come from Helen
Brands Ball . Helen , your line is
open . Thanks very much . Think is
probably a dumb question , but can you
talk us through the logistics of how
this will work ? Um , somebody , you
know ? Ah , hospital in , Say , uh ,
Reno get , uh ,
995 doses of the sizer vaccine .
Are they meant to then try to vaccinate
995 healthcare workers as quickly as
they can ? Or they're supposed to
reserve half of that trash so that they
can give that group of people their
second vaccine waiting . It's not
how do they ? How can they be assured
that they're going to be in the right
place in the line to get the second
dose when those people need their
second dose . Okay , so , uh , what
what we're working with is the states
have really worked there . Micro plans
on the final distribution on That's
what they're actually putting into
place over the next two weeks in
preparation for EU A and their
specified they identified ,
uh , amounts of providers .
Providers could be everywhere from
local hospitals , doctor's offices ,
pharmacies , etcetera , a song as their
enroll . We can distribute to them in
their plans and with their identify
priorities , they will specify how they
want to administer the vaccine . So in
your example , let's say one tray from
Pfizer vaccine goes to a hospital . It
has 975 doses in the tray .
Files could be taken out of the tray
right every single day and brought down
to room temperature for administered .
It's not a requirement to do all 119
7900 and 75 1 day or one
week they have , As I talked about up
to 20 days to really administer those
975 doses , uh , to
ensure that they can get the right
people in the right places at the right
time . Currently , right now , our plan
is to initially distribute the first
dose vaccines to the states and then on
a second delivery at 21 days for Pfizer
and 28 days for Moderna , the states
will receive the vaccine for the second
dose . There is methods from ,
uh , very simple . Here's your card .
Come back on this day for your second
dose to very elaborate automated plans
at both the state and national level to
ensure reminders are sent , uh , in the
vaccine is available for the persons .
We are continually to assess the
manufacturing of the vaccine on . We
think that once we have a really steady ,
confident cadence and manufacturing in
the very near future , there is
potential to just , um , vaccinate at
maximum allocation because we have
confidence that the second dose will be
available accordingly . Uh , we're just
the starting this way initially to
ensure that everybody understands the
process on we can be accounted for .
Thank you . Next question , please .
The next question is from Zach Brennan .
Political , I think so . Questions
a little bit about the timing with a
sip recommendation after a possible u A
states be able to adjust where the
first round of doses will go based on
the ace of recommendations , even if
you're shipping within 24 hours after
the U A . So Zach , I think it's
important to understand the nature of a
C . I . P s role this is for for other
members of the media is the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices ,
which is an advisory committee set up
under statute that's used by 500
connected , especially usually the
vaccine for Children's program . The
has , of course , a very important role
in that when they make a recommendation
for a group to be vaccinated that they
say essentially , that the efficacy
outweighs safety risk for vaccination ,
and they recommend vaccination that
triggers various reimbursement
mechanisms in our system . Once there's
an A C . I P recommendation , Um , as
we have with the National Academies of
Science , we've worked with the
Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices . In addition to their
statutory obligation on that binary
recommendation to vaccinate , we've
also sought any insight , input ,
etcetera around when dealing with a
scarce quantity vaccine , which groups
which which cohorts to prioritized at
the end of the day . That is a decision ,
though , of the U . S . Government to
make , which is where to recommend the
prioritization and in the final say it
will be our nation's governors and
implementing the distribution plans to
tell us . As General Purna has
repeatedly said where to ship and they
will decide whom the vaccine is given .
Thio . We hope that our recommendations
will carry weight with them , but at
the end of the day , they will make
that decision . And so we are not
dependent on any delay for a Skype in
terms of helping to advise states on
that prioritization . We received some
information just yesterday from a Skype .
We had received the National Academies
input previously , which is still going
through some public comment with them .
Uh , but we will work . We're working
expeditiously to formulate our
recommended prioritization for vaccine
distribution based on where we can
secure the maximum effect under
whatever the current epidemiological
circumstances are in the United States
at that time . Thank you . Next
question , please . The next
question is from John Cone . John ,
your line is open so much . Um , the
company has been less than transparent
about how the half , half does occurred
and I'm wondering whether they explain
to you what happened and also whether
you have plans to switch toe half does
as the prime for the AstraZeneca Oxford ,
right ? Yes . So we have been
made aware off the school . Now , the
half those at the time it has happened
this waas a change in the
way the quantity of vaccine , the
amount of vaccine put in a vile
waas tested . And , uh ,
when they When they realized that there
was an error or change in the approach
and technique used , they corrected it .
And in the meantime , about 3000
subjects who are recruited half of them
in the placebo and half of them in the
vaccine group . And that's the cohort
that has shown 90% efficacy . That's I
would say the fact in terms of what has
bean inputted into the vaccine ease .
What we are now looking to analyze is
what immune response has been induced
in Those who have received have those
and the full does versus those that
have received twice the full does and
understand whether there are
differences in the immune response and
used . You should also know that there
are also differences in the age
brackets present in the cohorts in that
the first cohort that received they
have those and full does , followed by
a full does , had a cap on the age at
the age of 55 when there are older
people included in the city that
received full does and full does . So
there are number of variables that we
need to understand and what what has
been the role of each one of them in
achieving the difference in
efficacy . Once we understand , then
we'll make a decision as to whether to ,
for instance , modify in part the
ongoing face retrial here and introduce ,
for instance , I have those and full
does or any otherwise . But we wanted
to be based on data and science because
we understand the input . But we don't
understand the consequences of the
input . I should just say for
completeness , scientifically , that
the 90% Efficacy Group and the 62%
Efficacy group are overlapping
statistically , so it is still possible
that that difference is a random
difference . It's unlikely , but it's
still possible . It's a random
difference . We need to understand
what's behind it scientifically , Thank
you next question . The next question
is from Carlo , Don . Oh , Carl , your
line is open . Hi , this is Carla
Donald from Reuters . You mentioned
that you had given some guidance to the
the States in terms of the general size
of the initial allocation vaccine that
they're going to get to help them
prepare . Do you have a national figure
at this point for the amount of vaccine ,
you know , that that will be
distributed overall to the different
states and jurisdictions on . But what
what is that figure ? And are you
confident that will still get to the 40
million figure overall by the end of
the year ? So , yes , I do feel
confident that we're going to get too
close , close as we can . The 40
million at the end of the year . I mean ,
it's not the chalk line . What exactly
comes off . We'll know at the end . But
I do feel confident , and we've planned
scenarios to that end . And we've
worked with the jurisdictions for the
total amount through December , the
initial amount Azzawi were speculating
on when you would a would come out
because we're not involved in that
process , literally on the white board
we're trying to figure out when that
decision might be made . I finally made
the decision Friday night late Friday
night to snap the chalk line . Eso
states could prioritize based on amount .
That amount that we allocated to the
country was 6.4 million doses of
vaccine . Uh And then what will happen
if , uh , if there's mawr available
after the initial push ? Then it will
go out in the following Kate Weekly
cadences of distribution accordingly ,
but yes , 40 million by the end of the
year . Next question , please .
Next question is that the Amber Gano
buzzfeed news ? Thanks very much . Uh ,
I'm wondering if you have any concern
that the general population will be
disappointed when they figure out the
prioritization is going on That is
going to health care workers , uh ,
nursing homes , that sort of thing and
not sort of the general public until it
sounds like months from now , um ,
months have been discussed like April
to June Thereabouts . If you have any
guidance on that as well , that would
be great . Thanks very much . Well ,
Dan , we've been very transparent
throughout for the American people and
for you all about the timelines as we
best understand them at each step of
the way and potential prioritized
groups . Of course , we have not
announced recommended prioritization .
We've talked about some core groups
that makes , um , fairly obvious sense ,
especially in light of the National
Academies . Uh , Input and the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices
Focus . Uh Those , of course , are
those in nursing homes . As you
mentioned , our most vulnerable
citizens are health care workers who
are on the front lines . Are first
responders those air ? Some of the
broad groups we've talked about and we
focused , and we've said that we expect
by the end of December toe have enough
vaccine to vaccinate those who are most
vulnerable just by way of sizing and
scaling that by the end of January , we
think we would have enough to vaccinate
our senior citizens as well as our
health care workers and first
responders . And then , as the general
has talked about progressively week
after week , just more vaccine keeps
coming off of the production , gets
quality controlled and released into
the system additional prioritized
groups or eventually , just general
vaccination availability to the point
that in the second quarter of next year
we believe we have enough vaccine from
all sources to be able Thio make that
so that anyone who wanted to get a
vaccine in the United States would be
able to get that . But that's a
progression , a constant progression .
And and so we've been very clear for
months really about about that sequence ,
and that's that's the best we can do is
just to use forums like these and
others to educate . In that regard , we
have time for three more questions .
The next question comes from Tom . How ?
Washington Times . I Thanks for doing
the call . Uh , this question is
probably for the secretary . Earlier in
the year , there were some polls this
showed , um , some people were leery of
taking a vaccine , so that was tied toe
campaign timelines . Now that the
election is over . And now , that's ,
um , Data's coming in that shows these
shots are quite effective . How
confident are you that people will be
eager to go take up the vaccine ? Um ,
and what are you doing to ensure , um ,
to alleviate any skepticism ,
Especially among minority populations .
Thank you . Yeah . Thank you very much ,
Tom . Excellent question . You're right .
We saw ever increasing uh , numbers of
potential vaccine hesitancy in previous
months . Unfortunately , there was a
lot of rhetoric out there that was not
helpful . Uh , in terms of inspiring
confidence in the process , the
president and I have been clear that
politics would play no role in the
development , the manufacturer , the
distribution or approval of a vaccine .
I think the proof is in the pudding
there that we now that we have all of
these various checks on independence in
the system . I've talked about five
separate checks the Data and Safety
Monitoring Board that determines even
if the drug company gets to see data .
The drug companies own ethical checks ,
where they determine if they even find
the data to meet their ethical
standards to submit for approval . The
fact that the FDA has laid out both
final biologic license as well as you a
guidance on what standards they would
hold a vaccine applicant to the fact
that the FDA would hold a public
advisory process with their vaccine
advisory committee . Uh , that is an
independent , transparent public
process . They've already announced on
Friday that December 10th will be the
date for the Pfizer Advisory Committee ,
and then finally the fact that FDA
career scientists career leaders will
make the ultimate call on whether a
vaccine meets FDA is data , scientific ,
evidentiary and legal standards for
authorization or eventual approval . Uh ,
we have seen , since the fighter and
Madonna data have come out with such
exceptional results on , of course ,
with the passing of the election we
have seen in public polling increases
in vaccine acceptance among them among
people we obviously remain concerned ,
especially in various underserved
communities , about any issues of
vaccine hesitancy . The C D . C . Our
assist sector for public affairs as
well as all of our public health
leaders were working on a public
service announcement campaign that
would work to educate the broad
population regarding , uh , the need to
be vaccinated . The safety of the
vaccine , the efficacy of the vaccine ,
uh , importance of getting vaccinated .
If you're in one of the target
prioritized groups on , we'll just keep .
We'll keep doing that . And I think
progressively as more and more people
get vaccinated , overtime prioritized
groups moving forward eventually to
general vaccination . Hopefully ,
there's a positive experience for
individuals and that by word of mouth ,
in addition , of course , to all of the
education efforts . We continue to
reduce vaccine hesitancy and continue
to increase support among people to get
vaccinated . Uh , I've told you , uh ,
I certainly , uh , will will have
complete confidence in the process on I
will get myself vaccinated as soon as I
will be allowed to be vaccinated to
demonstrate to the American people my
complete confidence in the independence
and integrity of the process and the
quality of any vaccine that I would
make available to the American people .
Next question . The next question is
from Andrew Don Business Insider Andrew ,
you may begin . Thank you . I was
wondering what do you see as the to put
it simply the ultimate responsibility
of state in the distribution process .
Um , can you go over clearly what
jurisdictional public health leaders
will need to do as part of the campaign ?
And have you heard from many states of
regions about the need for additional
funding to actually make that happen at
the state level ? Yeah , thanks . I'll
start in the last General Penneteau .
Add to it s o . Uh , this is obviously
as we talked about in our last call .
This is there two types of partnerships
here that are involved . The first is
the public private partnership of what
we're trying to do to really leverage
the systems around vaccine distribution
in the United States that are well
rehearsed and at work . We want to make
the experience for people as close to
the flu vaccination experience as
possible in terms of meeting them where
they are . The second is a federal
state partnership , very tight linkage
between us . We have gotten the vaccine
we're paying for the vaccine . We are
paying for the distribution of the
vaccine . We have secured the kits that
go with vaccination . That's the
needles , the syringes , the deal . You
want the last mile dry ice , etcetera
to marry that up with the vaccine up ,
we have the data systems for
distributing the vaccine as well as for
accounting for the immunization of
individuals , the tracking of
individuals to ensure they get a second
dose of the same vaccine . What is the
role of the states ? Of course , the
governors will determine distribution
within their states , prioritization
within their states where to ship to ,
as the general has said , we can ship
toe one site or 1000 sites in a state
depending on the governor's , long as
they're enrolled in the system and the
governor tells us what he or she would
like us to dio , uh , that's one . Tell
us as almost an air traffic controller ,
where would you like us to send or have
sent the product ? The second is ensure
your data systems are working with ours
and that you've signed out a use
agreements to ensure the transit the
ability of coordination of information
across the United States so that if
somebody gets vaccinated with the first
dose in New York and they then go down
to Florida for the rest of the winter ,
they could get their second dose in
Florida . And if it was Pfizer remains
fighter was Madonna . It remains
Madonna . Uh , the states will ,
obviously , if there are additional
areas that they would like to ensure
distribution to be on the normal
traditional mechanisms that we've
worked on hospitals , uh , chain
drugstores , community pharmacies , uh ,
community health centers , public
health departments . If governors feel
there's a need for customized other
approaches , they are fully at liberty
to set those up . That is , that is ,
that is part of them being in the
driver's seat on that localized micro
distribution planning . Uh , we've put
out $340 million for flu and Pan and co .
Vid 19 vaccination to date . Another
140 million is going out in December .
Uh , money should not be the barrier to
effective , efficient distribution of
the product working with the states ,
But it is important to remember just
how much of this entire process is
already federally funded and federally
supported in partnership with the
state's General . Mr . Secretary , I am
100% agreement and everything you said
and have nothing to add . Thank you ,
General . One last question , I believe
Michael . Thank you . The next question
is from Jared Hopkins . Jared , your
line is open . Thanks . Uh , Jared
Hopkins from the Wall Street Journal .
Uh , regarding allocation , I
previously the c d . C . So that
besides , population local spread of
cove , it was going to be a factor for
determining for each state . So can you
explain sort of how you guys decided on
each state ? Individual allocations
within that six million that you
mentioned earlier based on infection
rates from Friday or something else ?
Yes . So ? So , Jared , You know ,
given the national spread of the
disease at this point , and
unfortunately for the foreseeable
future , working and seeking
consultation with the governor's , we
asked the governor's for input on
allocation methodology . We didn't
receive feedback from many , but the
feedback we did get was supportive of
what we proposed , which was to keep
this simple and on the initial
allocations to follow a per capita over
the age of 18 population based formula
for for trying for distributing the
vaccine . We wanted to keep this simple
first , because we're seeing
effectively nation wide spread and
susceptibility to the disease . But
also , once we pass through these
initial tranches , where we're in much
more of a scarcity situation , we're
eventually going to get to the point
where it would need to be per capita .
And so instead of having multiple
methodologies , uh , we thought it best
to keep it simple . The governor
supported that from the feedback that
we received . That was the approach we
took correct , correct . Exactly right ,
Mr Secretary . So we just we thought
that would be the fairest approach .
The most consistent . Um , I want to
thank you all for this . We're gonna
keep doing this weekly or as much as
needed . We wanna make sure that you're
getting your questions answered that
were being transparent about our
operation warp speed work on
therapeutics , on vaccines , on
distribution practices . I was not
asked about this , but I do wanna let
you know that consistent with the G s A
administrators ascertainment Yesterday
last night , our top career official ,
Rear Admiral Schwartz , who has been
leading our transition planning efforts ,
was last night in communication with
the Biden transition team . We are
immediately getting them all of the pre
prepared transition briefing materials .
We will ensure coordinated briefings
with them to ensure they're getting
whatever information that they feel
they need . That's consistent with
statute and past practice . Uh , I have
reiterated I've said pause . I've said
publicly to you all . I reiterated
Admiral Shorts , uh , my firm
commitment that transition , planning
and execution will be professional ,
cooperative and collaborative in the
best spirit of looking out for the
health and well being of the American
people and in particular saving lives
through this cove in 19 Pandemic , I
want to say again , just thanks to the
support , unwavering and constant and
personal support that this team has had
from President Trump from the beginning
to create operation warp speed to give
us the full funding of resources and
the independence to act with speed and
agility . We now have face three data
on three vaccines . Three more vaccines
in active study . Five therapeutics
now are authorized or approved by the
FDA to help people suffering from Kobe .
So much is already here . So much is
on the way . As I say , hope and help
are on the way . But that also means
we're bridging . Right now we're
bridging toe when we have these
vaccines that General Purna is going to
ensure are getting out there to our
most vulnerable into our health care
workers and our first responders and
eventually the broad American
population . It means we need to bridge
through our individual behaviors . We
want to make sure that everybody can
get to the day of experiencing the
benefits of the work that that team is
delivering . And that means wash your
hands , watch your distance where your
face coverings when you can't watch
your distance . Stay out of settings
where you can't do those things . Be
especially mindful of indoor gatherings ,
especially those where you might let
your guard down like household
gatherings , overcrowded indoor
restaurants , indoor bars .
Especially now , as we approach
Thanksgiving , I ask all Americans ,
please be on guard . Take care of
yourselves . Be careful because there
is such a bright day ahead with what
this team is delivering on vaccines and
therapeutics . We want to make sure
that everybody is here for next year's
Thanksgiving . So thank you all very
much and members of the media , Thank
you for helping us in our efforts to
ensure the American people go on this
journey with us . Thank you , Thank you
all . You can send any follow up
questions to our press office at media
at HHS dot gov . Thank you all for
joining today's briefing .