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# Bloomberg Urges More FDA Transparency on Covid Vaccine
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/bloomberg-urges-more-fda-transparency-on-covid-vaccine/
- Published: 2021-08-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T17:09:08.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Biologics, #legacy-id-D5149849

The Bloomberg editorial board says FDA is undermining its credibility by not speaking out forcefully and completely as calls increase for full approval of the Covid-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorizations. In an online [post](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-08-03/the-fda-needs-to-clear-the-air-on-covid-vaccine-approval?ref=fdaweb.com), the editorial board says FDA insists it is “working as quickly as possible” and suggested that full approval may come for at least one vaccine by the end of the summer.

“The public is left wondering: What’s taking so long?” Bloomberg says. “This isn’t just a minor nuisance. It undermines trust in the vaccines and damages FDA’s most valuable asset — its credibility.”

The news service agrees that FDA is right to insist on thoroughly reviewing many months of clinical trial data before fully licensing any product. “Late last year, FDA pronounced the mRNA vaccines safe and effective enough for emergency use; many months later, it hasn’t fully licensed them,” the post says. “So are the vaccines safe and effective or not? That’s a reasonable question, and the agency has failed to answer it clearly.”

Bloomberg says some observers, including some infectious disease professionals, are saying the agency is dragging its feet, and without transparent communication from FDA, it’s impossible to know whether that charge is correct. It notes a recent statement from an FDA official that it is making further efforts to speed the review and asks why every effort wasn’t already being made.

“If it’s now in a position to affirm that six months’ worth of clinical trial data provides stronger confirmation that the shots work safely, it should do so, and announce that the licenses will soon be forthcoming,” Bloomberg says. “It should also explain what further steps are involved, and how long they’ll take. This would reassure Americans that the shots are indeed safe and that anyone who hasn’t yet gotten them should go ahead without delay. It would assure businesses that requiring vaccinations for their employees right away is wise. And it would discourage states from forbidding vaccine mandates until the shots are approved.”

The editorial makes the point that although working under extreme stress, FDA is “hobbled by its lack of a permanent leader…. The agency’s professionals are surely aware of the urgency on vaccines. They know it would be a mistake to bow to pressure by cutting corners. Competently led, they can be more effective — and help restore public trust — simply by explaining what they’re doing.”