Press Releases and Reports
Contact usAnswering Key Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
Oct 16, 2020
Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH; John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD; M. Miles Braun, MD, MPH
The US government is investing in rapid development of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several relying on new technologies. In the US, four vaccine candidates are in phase 3 studies with initial results expected soon. If studies succeed, 1 or more vaccines may become available within a few months. Providing evidence-based information will be particularly important in an environment of polarization and mistrust. This Viewpoint article, authored by Jesse Goodman, MD, MPH, of Georgetown, John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD, of the Immunization Action Coalition, and M. Miles Braun, MD, MPH, also of Georgetown, focuses on common questions patients are likely to ask about COVID-19 vaccines: read more
Top Vaccine Experts Join Forces to Provide Objective Perspective and Analysis as COVID-19 Vaccine Data Emerge
Oct 12, 2020
Karen Teber, COVAT Media Contact
WASHINGTON (October 12, 2020) — At a time of growing skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, an ensemble of some of America’s most trusted vaccine scientific experts has launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Analysis Team, or COVAT, to provide rapid and objective expert analysis and communications on emerging information on COVID-19 vaccines. read more
Launching the COVID Vaccine Analysis Team (COVAT)
Sep 25, 2020
By the COVAT Team
Safe and effective COVID vaccines, coupled with successful immunization programs, are needed to end the global pandemic. Not only is the rapidly evolving science challenging and complex, but public trust and understanding of vaccine development, and of any regulatory actions, will be critical to achieve the goal. Yet, during this pandemic, communication, including about vaccines, has often been confusing or misleading, placing both science-based decision-making and trust at risk. Some confusion is related to the inherent uncertainties of emerging science. In addition, financial and political interests or pressures, and other biases, may also distort communications and influence the accuracy of messages on COVID vaccines. As a result, the public and the health care community have too often been confronted and, at times, confused by claims from press releases or preliminary data, sometimes based on limited, inadequate or incomplete studies. In addition, accelerated vaccine development efforts and political pressure on FDA read more