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Trump, Donald

Trump Administration to Sign Executive Order Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment to Americans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Tuesday aimed at prioritizing the shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans before other nations, according to senior administration officials. The order is to be signed during a vaccine summit at the White House, where the hope is that it will alleviate fears of a vaccine shortage. White House officials described the order as a "reaffirmation of the President's commitment to America first." However, specifics on how the order will achieve this goal were not provided.

Key Takeaways:

  • The executive order is expected to prioritize the shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans before other nations.
  • The order comes after The New York Times reported that Pfizer had offered to sell the US government additional doses in late summer, but the administration had turned it down.
  • The administration is "in the middle of a negotiation right now" with Pfizer and cannot speak publicly about the talks.
  • The US has the opportunity to purchase 3 billion doses of vaccine, among all the contracts the federal government currently has with various companies.
  • The initial US contract with Pfizer was signed on July 22 for 100 million doses with the option to purchase more.
  • The 100 million doses would be enough to vaccinate 50 million people, given it's a two-dose vaccine.
  • Pfizer is ready to begin shipping initial doses soon after receiving an Emergency Use Authorization from FDA.
  • Representatives for Pfizer and Moderna will not attend Tuesday's White House summit, despite being the companies behind the coronavirus vaccines seeking emergency use authorization by the FDA.

Statistics:

  • The US has the opportunity to purchase 3 billion doses of vaccine.
  • The initial US contract with Pfizer was for 100 million doses with the option to purchase more.
  • 100 million doses would be enough to vaccinate 50 million people.
  • Pfizer is set to ship initial doses of the vaccine soon after receiving an Emergency Use Authorization from FDA.

Sources:

  • Senior administration officials, CNN, December [no date provided]
  • The New York Times, December [no date provided]
  • White House officials, CNN, December [no date provided]
  • Pfizer, CNN, December [no date provided]
  • Moderna spokesperson, CNN, December [no date provided]
  • Dr. Peter Marks, FDA official, CNN, December [no date provided]

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