4-Phased Approach Announced to Allocate COVID-19 Vaccines

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released for public comment on September 1, 2020, a discussion draft of a preliminary framework to assist policymakers in planning for an equitable allocation of a vaccine against COVID-19 disease. The committee that developed the draft framework was formed in July 2020 in response to a request to the National Academy of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The committee recommends a 4-phased approach guided by evidence to achieve the primary goal of maximizing societal benefit by reducing morbidity and mortality.

“While major efforts are being made to have a significant supply of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, the committee has been tasked with considering the tough choices that will need to be made for allocating the tightly constrained initial supplies,” said committee co-chair Helene Gayle, president, and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, in a press statement.

Separately, the U.S. FDA announced on August 27, 2020, that a public meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will be held on October 22nd, to discuss the general matter of the development, authorization, and/or licensure of vaccines indicated to prevent COVID-19 disease.

And, the U.S. CDC's vaccine advisory committee released its draft plan on August 26, 2020.