Transparency On COVID Vaccine Clinical Holds Needed, Sharfstein Says; US FDA Advisory Cmtes Offer Venue

Former acting Commissioner Josh Sharfstein argues that while agency officials have done a commendable job in overall communication on COVID vaccine development, more information is needed on the clinical holds.

The US Food & Drug Administration needs to be more transparent about the details on the clinical holds that have been placed on COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including the reasons for imposing the holds and the data behind the decision to lift them, former FDA Acting Commissioner Josh Sharfstein said.

“Here we have the most critical vaccines in a long time, needing to be reviewed under incredibly time-sensitive circumstances, and we’re learning about problems with the trials through leaked explanations...

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