Will Covid vaccine be free? Federal officials won’t commit

Latest


During a Senate hearing on coronavirus measures May 12, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders put U.S. health officials on the spot about whether a Covid-19 vaccine would be available to all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay.
Trump administration officials appearing at the hearing included Dr. Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Brett Giroir.
Sanders asked Hahn whether a Covid-19 vaccine, if it’s developed, “would be distributed to all people free of charge, or make sure at least that everybody in America who needs that vaccine will get it regardless of their income. Is that a fair assumption?” Hahn would only say that “the payment of vaccines is not a responsibility of FDA, but I’m glad to take this back to the task force.”
Sanders then put the same question to Giroir, who said that a vaccine should reach “all segments of society, regardless of their ability to pay.” Sanders stated, “So then you’re telling the American people today that regardless of income, every American will be able to gain access to that vaccine when it comes?” Giroir said that he is “not in control” of that decision. Sanders pressed Giroir, saying, “Well, you represent an administration that makes that decision.” Giroir replied that he would “certainly advocate that everyone is able to receive the vaccine regardless of income or any other circumstance.”

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

Abrego Garcia Detained Again, Could be Deported to Uganda

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant worker, was freed from detention in Tennessee Aug. 22 and then re-arrested by ICE on Aug. 25 in Maryland. The Trump administration is trying to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda.

An Open Letter to Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, CA.

From the San Jose CA Frontlines: Stop the sweeps. Unhoused people want a safe place to stay. All people should be respected, shown compassion, understanding.

Global Food Authority Declares Catastrophic Famine in Gaza

On Aug. 22, the world's top authority on hunger crises officially declared that a catastrophe-level famine in Gaza exists—a humanitarian disaster engineered by Israel's relentless blockade of food aid and other life-saving supplies.

Thousands of Texans Protest Trump’s Redistricting Plan To Get More Votes

The Texas capitol of Austin saw 5,000 people protesting Trump’s unconstitutional redistricting plan and other issues threatening our democracy.

More from the People's Tribune