Biden taps former FDA head to lead COVID-19 vaccine response
President-elect Joe Biden today named former Food and Drug Administration commissioner David Kessler, M.D., as Chief Science Officer of COVID Response, a role that will assume the responsibilities of the current head of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration effort focused on the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Kessler led the FDA from 1990 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton.
In addition to leading vaccination efforts, Kessler also is expected to increase the emphasis on the development of treatments for COVID-19, including antivirals.
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