Blunt seeks details on CDC plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (MO) recently requested information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about what has been done to plan for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine, what criteria will be used to determine priority for the equitable distribution of the vaccine, and what resources will be needed to ensure a plan is in place as quickly as possible. 

Sen. Blunt sent a Sept. 9 letter to CDC Director Robert Redfield urging that when the United States has a vaccine available it will be distributed in the fastest, most equitable and competent manner.

“I want to ensure that CDC has the resources necessary to distribute a vaccine in this manner and also ensure that the American public has the information to understand the process and feel safe about the recommendations our federal public health experts are making,” wrote Sen. Blunt, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

Blunt also announced plans to hold a hearing this month on vaccine development and distribution as a followup to his previous Operation Warp Speed hearing held in July.

“I, like many in Congress and the administration, am encouraged by the positive news on vaccine trials to date. I am optimistic that we will have a vaccine available for distribution by the end of this year or early next year,” Blunt wrote. “However, as I expressed to you at the hearing, there will be no larger a failure than if the government is unable to distribute a safe and effective vaccine in a timely and equitable manner.”

Sen. Blunt also said that he is concerned that the CDC’s ability to plan and execute a distribution strategy will be severely hindered absent agreement on another supplemental emergency funding package to provide the resources necessary for this effort. 

The planned hearing this month would help lawmakers better understand the administration’s and CDC’s plan on COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as well as to receive an update on overall COVID-19 response activities, according to his letter, and Sen. Blunt asked Redfield to answer several questions beforehand in order to inform “a robust discussion” at the upcoming hearing.