As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket as a result of Trump’s failed coronavirus response, Trump has repeatedly touted the development of a vaccine that could finally slow the spread of the virus. But as development continues, medical experts are worried that Trump will make the same mistakes he’s made while failing to deal with the pandemic: ignoring them and putting public health at risk in attempts to benefit himself politically.

Medical experts are sounding the alarm that the Trump administration may rush the development of a vaccine in order to benefit Trump politically ahead of the election. 

New York Times:  “Under constant pressure from a White House anxious for good news and a public desperate for a silver bullet to end the crisis, the government’s researchers are fearful of political intervention in the coming months and are struggling to ensure that the government maintains the right balance between speed and rigorous regulation, according to interviews with administration officials, federal scientists and outside experts.”

Experts are also concerned that Trump and his administration have yet to start planning for distribution of and education about a vaccine, especially when it comes to communities of color, which have already been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. 

Politico: “The United States is mounting the largest vaccination effort in its history — without a plan on how to reach racial and ethnic groups that have not only been devastated by the virus but are often skeptical about government outreach in their communities.”

Reuters: “There won’t be enough vaccine for all 330 million Americans right away, so the government also has a role in deciding who gets it first, and in educating a vaccine-wary here public about its potential life saving merits. Right now, it is unclear who in Washington is in charge of oversight, much less any critical details, some state health officials and members of Congress told Reuters.”

From the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, Trump has refused to listen to the experts and create a plan to combat the spread of the virus. Now, experts worry that the same issues that have plagued his coronavirus response will hinder vaccine development and distribution too. 

BuzzFeed News: “The Trump administration, though, has already cut medical corners during the coronavirus pandemic. Public health experts have pointed to the administration’s handling of hydroxychloroquine — which was rushed as a COVID-19 treatment under public pressure by Trump but ultimately found to be ineffective — to raise questions about the FDA’s role in safeguarding the public.”