Did Pfizer Delay Covid Vaccine Announcement Until After 2020 Election? Here’s What We Know

Key Concepts:

• COVID-19 vaccine development and announcement timeline
• Allegations of delayed announcement by Pfizer
• US Attorney's Office investigation
• Political implications of vaccine timing
• Denials from Pfizer and its biotech partner

Investigation into Alleged Delay

The US Attorney's Office in Manhattan is currently leading an investigation into claims made by a former Pfizer scientist. This scientist allegedly told colleagues at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) that Pfizer deliberately delayed announcing the success of its COVID-19 vaccine until after the 2020 US Presidential election.

Denial of Allegations

The scientist who purportedly made these claims, and who no longer works at GSK, reportedly denies making the allegations. This denial adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.

Trump's Claims and Context

The investigation follows claims made by former President Trump, who alleged in social media posts that Pfizer "didn't have the courage" to announce the vaccine details before the election. Trump suggested, without providing evidence, that Pfizer "didn't want to have me get a vaccine win before the election."

Pfizer's Response and Timeline

Pfizer and its biotech partner have both denied the claims of a delayed release. A senior vice president at Pfizer stated that the vaccine development "was never about politics" and that the company "had no time and still have no time to deal with politics." The Pfizer CEO had projected trial results by late September 2020, but the timeline was delayed due to an increase in the number of participants in the trial.

Conclusion

The core issue revolves around allegations that Pfizer intentionally delayed the announcement of its COVID-19 vaccine's success until after the 2020 election for political reasons. These allegations are being investigated by the US Attorney's Office, but the scientist who allegedly made the claims denies them. Pfizer has vehemently denied any political motivation behind the vaccine's development and announcement timeline, citing the complexities of the trial process and the need to increase participant numbers as reasons for the delay. The investigation is ongoing, and the truth of the matter remains to be determined.