Trump contradicts CDC, pledging 100 million vaccines in 2020

Internal CDC documents posted by The New York Times show that under the most optimistic scenario, if the two vaccines both prove to be safe and effective on an accelerated timeline, 35 million to 45 million doses could be available by late December. If just one of the vaccines is seen as safe and effective, only 20 million to 30 million doses will be available and if just the other vaccine is authorized, 15 million doses will be available, according to the documents. The internal documents were independently confirmed by CQ Roll Call as authentic. 

Operation Warp Speed, the administration’s vaccine and therapeutics development initiative, has allocated at least $11 billion in public funds to research and manufacture a vaccine. CQ Roll Call has asked Operation Warp Speed, Moderna and Pfizer how many doses of vaccine are currently manufactured and ready to ship but has not yet received replies.

The CDC for years has overseen national immunization efforts, like the Vaccines for Children program, which gives out pediatric vaccines. But Trump described the coronavirus vaccine distribution enterprise as “relying on our military” and Operation Warp Speed. 

“Distribution will begin within 24 hours after notice,” he said. “Massive amounts will be delivered through our great military.”

Operation Warp Speed leaders Moncef Slaoui and Gustave F. Perna were present at the news conference, while Redfield was not.