The Food and Drug Administration released guidelines yesterday that make it nearly inconceivable for a coronavirus vaccine to hit the market before Election Day. The move came one day after The Times reported that White House officials had been trying to soften the F.D.A.’s language to clear the path for an 11th-hour vaccine. Four vaccines in the United States are in the final stage of testing, but the agency’s new regulations advise vaccine makers to follow test patients for a median of two months after the final dose. They also ask vaccine makers to document five cases of severe infection in people who received the placebo instead of the vaccine. A homeland security whistle-blower had accused the agency of holding up the document’s publication because of political concerns.

Source: International New York Times October 07, 2020 11:00 UTC