Biologics

62% of Americans Fear Vaccine Political Pressure: Poll

The latest Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) health tracking poll finds that 62% of Americans worry that Trump administration political pressure will lead FDA to rush to approve a coronavirus vaccine without being sure that it is safe and effective. A KFF statement says those respondents fearing pressure include 85% of Democrats, 61% of independents, and 35% of Republicans.

The poll also found that about 40% of respondents said that FDA (36%) and CDC (42%) are paying “too much attention” to politics when reviewing and approving treatments for coronavirus or issuing guidelines and recommendations.

The poll comes as President Donald Trump and others have suggested that a vaccine could be ready in the next few weeks and as FDA has mounted a major communications effort to convince the public that it will not approve anything until it has been demonstrated to be safe and effective.

KFF reports that 81% of respondents, including majorities of Democrats, independents, and Republicans said they do not believe a vaccine will be widely available before the 11/3 election.

According to the survey, if a vaccine was approved before 11/3 and made freely available to anyone who wanted it, 54% said they would not want to get the vaccine and 40% said they would want to be vaccinated. Most independents (56%) and Republicans (60%) said they would not get the vaccine, while 50% of Democrats said they would.

KFF also says the poll captures a drop in the public’s trust in the nation’s public health institutions and officials to provide reliable information about the coronavirus, particularly among Republicans.

The poll also reports results on key facts about the virus, whether the best or worst is yet to come in the pandemic, and the issues voters see as most important in the presidential election.

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FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

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FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome