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Tonko Questions Dr. Fauci, Health Experts During COVID Vaccine HearingOversight & Investigations Subcommittee examines President Biden’s vaccination plan & federal COVID response
Washington,
March 17, 2021
WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko questioned public health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, during a Congressional hearing held today on the federal government’s ongoing response to the COVID pandemic and the Biden Administration’s efforts to increase vaccine production and distribution. Watch the full exchange here or read below for full text of Rep. Tonko’s statement and questions to witnesses. BRIEF REMARKS In less than two months in office, the Biden Administration has moved swiftly to dramatically expand our vaccine supply. But as we all know: vaccines sitting in vials don’t protect people; vaccines in arms do. So today, I would like to hear from our public health experts on when we can expect all American adults to be fully vaccinated, and when we may achieve herd immunity.
Dr. Walensky [CDC], President Biden will direct states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1st. The Biden Administration also believes that we will have enough vaccine doses for every adult by the end of May—two months earlier than initial forecasts—but it is unclear how long it will take to actually get those shots into arms. Q: We know that states are responsible for administering vaccines and for prioritizing vaccine allocations. What mechanism is the Administration using to direct states to make all adults eligible for vaccines by May 1st and how will that directive impact states’ ability to prioritize certain populations? Dr. Marks [FDA], the Biden Administration has now purchased more vaccine doses than required to vaccinate the entire U.S. population. Experts believe we may soon have greater supply than demand. Q: After every American is fully vaccinated, what are the Administration’s plans for the extra vaccine doses it has purchased? Dr. Fauci [NIH], you have opined that up to 90 percent of the population may need to be inoculated to achieve herd immunity. Q: Do we now have a better sense for exactly what portion of the population will need to acquire immunity to reach this goal, especially when considering children under the age of 16 are not currently eligible to receive any vaccine?
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