COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project
Project Mission
As leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, healthcare workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, we believe we have a responsibility to come together to provide information about the clinical trials process, regulatory review, distribution of and access to potential COVID-19 vaccines in a way that promotes equity and trust.
A vaccine works best when everyone in the community has the confidence to be vaccinated. Widespread use of a vaccine is needed to protect ourselves and our communities if we are going to stop the spread of COVID-19.
To create the right environment for vaccine confidence to thrive, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project will be the convener of a dialogue among organizations representing the multitude of constituencies that face challenges from COVID-19, particularly diverse communities that have been most harmed, and those on the front lines of the pandemic.
We aim to encourage adherence to robust regulatory review, share knowledge about that process to increase transparency, and raise awareness of the need to ensure that all stakeholders are involved at each stage of the process.
Principles of the Project
Vaccines must continue to adhere to a gold-standard review process. The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project is guided by the core belief that approval and dissemination of a COVID-19 vaccine must be based on:
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Robust clinical trials that include diverse patient populations -
Public disclosure of results from Phase 3 clinical trials, in accordance with FDA guidance -
Authorization and subsequent approval based on evidence generated from clinical trials and well-established review processes at FDA -
Transparent and ongoing post-marketing safety surveillance
A return to normal relies on communicating transparent, scientifically accurate information about vaccines and vaccine technology – including what we know and what we still need to learn.
Core Objectives
Open dialogue, engagement and effective communication is important in addressing the skepticism about vaccines that exists among many people and in many communities. Additionally, building confidence in the process and the science is key for vaccines to be a contributor in addressing health inequities that exist generally and specifically with respect to COVID-19. To achieve its mission the project seeks to:
Provide education on, and advocate for adherence to a gold standard regulatory review process
Promote the impact of widespread COVID-19 vaccination uptake in protecting individuals, families, and communities
Raise awareness around the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for public health, the economy and broader society
Drive a conversation that helps ensure equitable access to vaccines through equitable access to information and dialogue
