COVID Vaccine Advisory Committee: Be Careful What You Wish For

13 Aug 2020

• By Michael McCaughan

The US FDA has promised to hold a public advisory committee review before authorizing or approving any COVID-19 vaccine candidates. What could possibly go wrong?

Open red curtain and empty illuminated theatrical scene realistic vector illustration. Grand opening concept, performance or event premiere poster, announcement banner template with theater stage — Advisory committees are theatrical events that promise both transparency and drama. • Source: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration has made an unusual but probably necessary public commitment to hold an advisory committee before approving (or granting an emergency use authorization for) any vaccine against COVID-19.

The commitment came officially in a JAMA"Viewpoint" piece 7 August, amid calls for the agency to assure transparency in the...