According to a report by the U.S. Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) on the 28th, Celine Gounder, a member of Biden’s coronavirus consultation team, said in an interview with CNBC that Biden plans to invoke the Defense Production Act to promote the production of coronavirus vaccine after taking office next month.
“This approach is designed to ensure adequate supply of PPE, testing capacity and vaccine raw materials,” Celine Gounder said.
The wartime production law allows the president to mandate companies to prioritize production for national security, helping the U.S. ensure manufacturers produce ingredients and specialty products needed for a coronavirus vaccine.
Biden’s team has been weighing whether to invoke the law to produce a vaccine, NBC News reported last week.
The New York Times reported last week that Pfizer began asking the Trump administration to help companies get some of the supplies needed for production in September, but was disappointed by the lack of response.
