Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York City(Reuters) – Several COVID-19 vaccine developers, including Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna Inc, plan to issue a public pledge not to seek government approval until their vaccine candidates are proven to be safe and effective, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The companies might issue the pledge as soon as early next week, the report added, citing two people familiar with the matter. The news comes amid rising concerns that political pressure ahead of the Nov. 3 election could weigh on the safety and effectiveness of a potential vaccine for the respiratory illness. AstraZeneca Plc, Pfizer and Moderna are among those farthest along in the race to develop vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection or limit its severity, with their candidates in late-stage clinical trials. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 04, 2020 23:30 UTC