Why scientists are worried about a 'Warp Speed' COVID-19 vaccine

[SouthernCal_Dem]

By Mike Moffitt

Taking short cuts could have serious repercussions

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Here’s what worries scientists:

—FDA regulators will likely face enormous political pressure to approve a vaccine, even one that’s not proven safe and effective.

—A vaccine that’s less effective than billed could cause wider spread of the pandemic, Michael S. Kinch, director of the Centers for Research Innovation in Biotechnology and Drug Discovery at Washington University in St. Louis, writes in Stat News.

“A merely short-term effect could encourage vaccinated individuals to resume risky behaviors, which would all but guarantee that the epidemic endures,” argues Kinch, who is also a professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.

—A vaccine would likely erode compliance of social distancing and mask wearing, measures that are proven effective against spread of the virus.

“They automatically are going to say, ‘Oh great, I’m just going to get my little vaccine, and I can go back and do exactly the things I was doing last year’. That is absolutely not true,” Maria Elena Bottazzi, associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told Business Insider in an interview.

Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Why-scientists-worry-about-a-Warp-Speed-15458316.php

[ProfessorGAC]

1. They Have Points

But, I'm unconvinced of the overall premise.
I simply do not believe that the scientists working on the vaccine, or the lawyers concerned about liability on a massive scale would submit a formula to FDA without confidence it is safe.
The part about less caution, I agree with, but that would happen no matter when the vaccine comes out; warp speed or not.
So, you can count me as one scientist that does not share their level of concern.

[Miguelito Loveless]

4. You are a far more trusting person than I

I have seen too many people already torch their careers and reputation for this man.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. OK

The FDA is LOADED with career professionals that are legally protected from political retaliation. They are PROFESSIONALS who don't care who the president is. Plural professionals.
You've seen how many scientific or medical professionals torch their career? A couple handfuls?
There are tens of thousands of professionals at FDA & private industry. Your sample size is unrepresentative.
99+% of the work on the vaccines have zero to do with the government, as well.
It's not being trusting.
It's refusing to be paranoid.

[Miguelito Loveless]

9. After all that has happened since Bush v. Gore,

in only two decades I have seen too many “professionals” debase themselves in the service of evil and/or greed.

If you wish to characterize that as “paranoia” then you are free to do so.

[smirkymonkey]

10. However, there still hasn't been time to do any long-term testing. They can only confirm that the

vaccine appears to be safe in the short term, since we have only been aware of the virus's existence for about 7 months. At best, the vaccine may lose it's potency after a short period of time, and at worst it may cause longer term complications that they would not be able to observe in such a short testing window.

Like you, I don't think that anyone at the FDA would intentionally cause harm, but they may be pressured to approve a vaccine that simply hasn't stood up over the test of time. We need to be working on this diligently, but it's not a vaccine for the common flu, this is something that we have never seen before and rigorous testing should be part of the process.

[Shermann]

2. Soooooo if a bunch of individuals in the US start engaging in risky behaviors...

...how will we even notice?

[Miguelito Loveless]

3. I would not touch ANY vaccine

developed by people under this administration.

[greymattermom]

5. So what about the Oxford vaccine?

AstraZenica and an Indian company will be manufacturing it. It's nothing to do with Trump.

[global1]

7. Operation Warp Speed Is Just A Re-Election Con By Trump.....

We all know that there was no way that the vaccine would be available quickly. There is a process that it has to go through and you really can't cut corners when you're dealing with something that has to be evaluated from both a safety and efficacy standpoint. The risk is just too great.

Operation Warp Speed was just a gimmick for Trump to use - kind of a 'hail mary' pass for his re-election. He uses it to create a illusion in the minds of people that he "care's" and he's hoping that people will buy into that and perhaps vote for him.

I believe he knows that it won't be a quick turn around - but it sure sounds good - don't it? It's just another one of Trump's - 'cons'.

As we close in on the November election - it will become apparent that there won't be a vaccine available this year. Trump will then be looking for excuses and someone to blame the lack of a vaccine on. The MSM will be a good candidate to blame and Trump will probably say all along they didn't want a vaccine to succeed before the election because they want me to lose.

[louis-t]

8. I'm reminded of a certain O-ring that failed.

Space Shuttle Challenger.