National Academies Draft Framework for Equitable Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine

 Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Health, Medicine

Ed Hessler

At the request of Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health and Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a committee of experts was organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop recommendations to policy makers on the equitable allocation of a COVID-19 vaccine.

It is known that demand will exceed supply. Two factors will play a role: vaccine production and that the vaccination is most likely to be a two-step process with the first injection followed by a second later.

The discussion draft for comment was released September 1 and in it there is a link (repeated here) showing the four-phased approach recommended. The final report is to be released later this month and will be informed by public comments. It will be used in making the final decision on the allocation of the vaccine. It is not known how or who will make that decision.