[Farm93]

I agree strongly with the article.

The medical community needs to get over its ethical objections to challenge trials.  Yes, they could conceivably cost lives.  But they could potentially save far more.  And if everyone involved is a volunteer and fully aware of the risks, I don't see why it's a problem.  Philosophical objections to these sorts of things should be saved for non-emergencies.

We need a Manhattan-project level commitment to developing and producing a vaccine.  Because of the costs involved, this can only be accomplished at the federal level. So, I'm not holding my breath that we'll actually do anything in a timely manner given the White House's lack of leadership.

The risk, as has been presented by medical experts, is that you can create a vaccine that doesn't actually work or worse a vaccine that causes the body to overreact when the body encounters the virus resulting in death.  That happens in animal trials, so just jumping to human use is a non-starter as short cutting the testing process could bring that risk to humans.

Liability is such a big deal in the USA.   It is really unlikely a company can take a lot of shortcuts, even if the FDA permits it, for fear of getting sued by patients for years to come.  Most companies that could afford to create doses at risk would never then double up their risk by pushing an untested vaccine for fear of losing their entire business in lawsuits.

The early manufacturing has some appeal, but the government would need to underwrite the effort.    Many may recall that a recent administration was skewered for loans to solar panel and electric car companies even though those efforts ultimately produced Tesla.   A government would need to support multiple efforts anticipating that many vaccines would not ultimately prove viable.

The companies in question would likely get the go ahead from the Trump administration, but would POTUS46 keep paying the bills?   That would be a real risk for a company.   My guess is most companies would not be that eager to play the game understanding the PR risks.   Company G is successful.  6 months later companies H-Q all submit expenses expecting they will still get reimbursed.   They would have to know that money might never be delivered.
  
Worse though would be what if all of the companies and viruses that the government backs all fail.   You'd hate to be that administration or political party if the administration is out of office.

Put it together and a miracle fast track vaccine feels a bit like...
A miracle season change ending the virus or a miracle drug used for a different application ending the virus or a miracle use of a poison in the body ending the virus.  I get the love affair with Americans seeking the easy way out, but it sure would be awesome for the federal government to really prepare citizens for the more likely scenario.   A 3-4 year stretch where life as we knew it in 2019 is not available because a vaccine is not readily available.  Most wars are not won in a few weeks, and our war on this virus is likely a multi-year effort.

[Farm93]

I agree strongly with the article.

The medical community needs to get over its ethical objections to challenge trials.  Yes, they could conceivably cost lives.  But they could potentially save far more.  And if everyone involved is a volunteer and fully aware of the risks, I don't see why it's a problem.  Philosophical objections to these sorts of things should be saved for non-emergencies.

We need a Manhattan-project level commitment to developing and producing a vaccine.  Because of the costs involved, this can only be accomplished at the federal level. So, I'm not holding my breath that we'll actually do anything in a timely manner given the White House's lack of leadership.

The risk, as has been presented by medical experts, is that you can create a vaccine that doesn't actually work or worse a vaccine that causes the body to overreact when the body encounters the virus resulting in death.  That happens in animal trials, so just jumping to human use is a non-starter as short cutting the testing process could bring that risk to humans.

Liability is such a big deal in the USA.   It is really unlikely a company can take a lot of shortcuts, even if the FDA permits it, for fear of getting sued by patients for years to come.  Most companies that could afford to create doses at risk would never then double up their risk by pushing an untested vaccine for fear of losing their entire business in lawsuits.

The early manufacturing has some appeal, but the government would need to underwrite the effort.    Many may recall that a recent administration was skewered for loans to solar panel and electric car companies even though those efforts ultimately produced Tesla.   A government would need to support multiple efforts anticipating that many vaccines would not ultimately prove viable.

The companies in question would likely get the go ahead from the Trump administration, but would POTUS46 keep paying the bills?   That would be a real risk for a company.   My guess is most companies would not be that eager to play the game understanding the PR risks.   Company G is successful.  6 months later companies H-Q all submit expenses expecting they will still get reimbursed.   They would have to know that money might never be delivered.
  
Worse though would be what if all of the companies and viruses that the government backs all fail.   You'd hate to be that administration or political party if the administration is out of office.

Put it together and a miracle fast track vaccine feels a bit like...
A miracle season change ending the virus or a miracle drug used for a different application ending the virus or a miracle use of a poison in the body ending the virus.  I get the love affair with Americans seeking the easy way out, but it sure would be awesome for the federal government to really prepare citizens for the more likely scenario.   A 3-4 year stretch where life as we knew it in 2019 is not available because a vaccine is not readily available.  Most wars are not won in a few weeks, and our war on this virus is likely a multi-year effort.