Azar to head U.S. biodefense strategy

HHS will serve as the lead agency for implementing the U.S.’s biodefense strategy, with HHS Secretary Alex Azar tapped to chair a newly created cabinet-level biodefense steering committee, the White House announced Tuesday.

The national security memorandum that gave HHS the biodefense leadership role also directed the president’s national security adviser to lead an annual review of biological threats and prioritize biodefense actions...