When a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, policymakers will have to make tough decisions about allocating the initial supply

On Wednesday, September 2, from 12:00 to 5:00 pm ET, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will host an open online session to receive public comments on a Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine, as part of a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study will recommend priorities to inform allocation of a limited initial supply of COVID-19 vaccine, taking into account factors such as racial/ethnic and other health disparities, as well as groups at higher risk from COVID-19 due to health status, occupation, or living conditions. Input from the public, especially communities highly impacted by COVID-19, is essential to produce a final report that is objective, balanced, and inclusive.

A discussion draft of the preliminary framework will be available for download starting 24 hours advance of the session, on Tuesday, September 1, at 12:00 pm ET. The draft can be accessed at nationalacademies.org/VaccineAllocationComment (link not live until 12:00 pm ET on 9/1/2020).

Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments for consideration by the study committee (as individuals or on behalf of an organization). The public comment period will be open for 4 days, from 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 1, until 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, September 4. Commenters will be able to download and review the discussion draft before submitting a comment through a form (uploaded documents accepted). All materials and comments received will be placed in the committee’s Public Access File, and may be provided to the public upon request. The discussion draft and comment form will be available at nationalacademies.org/VaccineAllocationComment starting at 12:00 pm ET on September 1.