WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 3, 2020) – Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America president and CEO, Stephen J. Ubl issued the following statement:

“This week, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to consider the prioritization of which communities should receive the initial doses of vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection should the U.S. Food and Drug Administration grant emergency use authorizations (EUA).

“The ACIP recommendation outlined proposed groups for Phase 1 vaccination, including frontline health care personnel, other essential workers, those with high-risk medical conditions and those aged 65 or older. ACIP also found that racial and ethnic minority groups are often disproportionately represented in many essential industries and live in communities that are similarly affected and should therefore be prioritized.

“As states and territories prepare for the arrival of critically needed COVID-19 vaccines and seek to address key issues regarding priority of vaccine distribution, PhRMA supports ACIP’s prioritization of essential health care, public health industry workers and those most at risk as part of their allocation decisions.

“As we continue to fight COVID-19, we are committed to ensuring that the highest of standards of research, clinical testing and manufacturing are upheld throughout the vaccine research and development process. Our companies have further pledged ‘to make the safety and well-being of vaccinated individuals the top priority in development of the first Covid-19 vaccines.’ This commitment to safety isn’t new — it’s what the industry does day in and day out.

“While we still have more work and tough days ahead of us, I’m confident science will help get us back to normal.”

About PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested nearly $1 trillion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $83 billion in 2019 alone

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