Senators Hassan, Braun, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency of Vaccine Review Process and Help Improve Public Confidence in Vaccines

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve transparency of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization process for vaccines and drugs in an effort to help assure the public that vaccines are safe and effective.

“Vaccines are free, safe, and effective, but unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is an enormous barrier that is preventing our state and country from making it through this pandemic,” Senator Hassan said. “We know that those who do not get vaccinated are more likely to come down with a severe case of COVID-19, and we must do everything that we can to ease people’s concerns. This commonsense bill will increase transparency at the FDA and help improve people’s confidence in the agency’s vaccine review process.” 

“During the pandemic, there have been a lot of questions about the safety of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines that were granted emergency authorizations. It is clear that many, rightfully so, have wanted more information on FDA authorization decisions,” said Senator Murkowski. “Our bipartisan legislation, the SAVE Act, is a small but meaningful step to help make sure accurate scientific information about medical developments and products can be shared as early as possible. This will go a long way in improving transparency for future vaccine and therapeutic approvals and building public trust.”

The bipartisan Emergency Use Transparency Act would remove barriers that currently prevent the FDA from disclosing information related to their emergency use authorization of vaccines and drugs. Currently, if a vaccine or drug receives an emergency use authorization while FDA approval is still pending for the vaccine or drug, confidentiality requirements prevent the FDA from disclosing important information. This bill would remove those barriers.    

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