COVID-19 Vaccine May Pit Science Against Politics

Under normal circumstances, it could take years — if not decades — to bring a new vaccine to market. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all that. In May, the Trump Administration launched Operation Warp Speed with the goal of delivering initial doses of a safe and effective vaccine by January, 2021 --shortening the development time from years to months.

Some worry that to meet that ambitious schedule, the Administration might cut important scientific corners. They fear that President Trump could announce an "October surprise"-- declaring that a vaccine works before it has passed scientific muster in order to enhance his reelection chances.