Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease Statement in Response to FDA CBER Town Hall

May 21, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID) released the following statement in response to FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research town hall:

“We urge federal leaders to proceed with caution as they consider changes to the approval processes for COVID-19 vaccines. Shifting away from established, science-based standards risks undermining public trust, compromising America’s ability to lead in vaccine technology innovation, and delaying access for people who remain at risk and want to protect themselves and their loved ones. Limiting access to vaccines will not contribute to a healthier America.

“Billions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered around the world across all age groups and health statuses with robust safety and efficacy data. The additional studies included as part of the new framework, such as placebo-controlled trials in certain populations, may expose Americans to unnecessary risk and potential harm from COVID-19. Vaccinating against COVID-19 is not mandated anywhere in the U.S. That hasn’t changed, but these new proposed requirements will significantly limit Americans’ choice and access to vaccines to protect themselves and their families.

“Our recent bipartisan polling results show that Americans overwhelmingly support continued access to FDA-approved vaccines, trust their doctors and independent scientific experts over political voices, and want the U.S. to remain a world leader in developing new vaccines to fight deadly diseases. We strongly encourage policymakers to keep those priorities at the forefront and to avoid changes that could stall progress, confuse the public, or endanger the health of Americans.”

Read here to learn more about PFID’s 2025 bipartisan polling results, which surveyed American voters’ perspectives on vaccination trends, access to vaccines, U.S. leadership in vaccine development, and information sources.