US CDC Urges States to Prepare COVID-19 Vaccinations by November 1

Growing Expectations for COVID-19 Vaccine Release in October
Pressure Allegations Against Trump as Preparation Urged Until Two Days Before US Election

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reportedly sent letters urging each U.S. state to expedite preparations, including securing locations for COVID-19 vaccinations, by November 1. This has raised expectations that the vaccine could be available by October, leading to a broad rise in the U.S. stock market. Some speculate that the pressure to prepare by two days before the U.S. presidential election stems from President Donald Trump's influence, but the CDC denies any connection to the election.

According to foreign media such as CNBC on the 2nd (local time), on the 27th of last month, the CDC sent a letter signed by Director Robert Redfield to governors of each state. The letter reportedly requested that states identify vaccination sites and grant building usage permissions so that McKesson, the medical supplier contracted by the CDC for vaccine distribution, and its subsidiaries can use these locations for vaccinations.

In the letter, Director Redfield emphasized, "States must relax regulations to ensure that facilities for vaccination are fully operational by November 1," adding, "The safety and integrity of the distributed vaccines must not be compromised." He also urged state authorities to expedite the selection of vulnerable groups who should receive the vaccine first.

As a result, expectations grew that the first COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. would be released by at least October, leading to a broad rise in the U.S. stock market. On that day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 29,100.50, up 454.84 points (1.59%) from the previous session at the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 index rose 54.19 points (1.54%) to 3,580.84, and the Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 12,056.44, up 116.78 points (0.98%).

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), also raised expectations in an interview with MSNBC that day, stating, "If the interim trial results are very good, I would not oppose emergency use authorization before the completion of Phase 3 clinical trials." Previously, Fauci had indicated that the vaccine could be available as early as November or December.

Some speculate that the CDC's emphasis on November 1, two days before the U.S. presidential election, is due to pressure from President Trump, but the CDC denies any such connection. According to The Washington Post (WP), earlier, Stephen Hahn, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), also stated at the end of last month that the FDA might consider approving the vaccine before the completion of Phase 3 clinical trials, raising concerns that the Trump administration might hastily approve the vaccine ahead of the election.