COVID-19 Quick Takes: NAS framework on vaccine allocation prioritizes higher risk groups

Framework to allocate vaccines
A discussion draft of a framework on equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccines released by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine proposes prioritizing individuals at higher risk for infection, severe morbidity and death, and transmitting COVID-19 as well as those with roles in society that directly affect others’ livelihoods and would be imperiled by illness. The academies said people of color have had disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 transmission, morbidity and mortality with little evidence of underlying biologic causes. The public comment period is open through Sept. 4.

AZ pledges broad, equitable access
CEO Pascal Soriot said  AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) is committed to making AZD1222 broadly and equitably accessible and that the company is moving “quickly but without cutting corners” as it develops its COVID-19 vaccine. His comments come amid widespread concerns that the heads of HHS and FDA are putting politics ahead of science (see Editor’s Commentary). ...