December 17, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) As Americans patiently await their turn for COVID-19 vaccination, a group of leading medical, health equity and public policy experts discussed and answered questions as part of a national briefing today about vaccines, including safety and efficacy; equitable access; and efficient distribution. The briefing, convened by the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID) and moderated by BBC World News America’s Katty Kay, is available immediately at www.fightinfectiousdisease.org.

“Being in the community and being a trusted messenger goes a long way,” said Leon McDougle, MD, MPH, President of the National Medical Association and Professor of Family Medicine, Ohio State University. “Risk-benefit assessment has to be a part of these discussions in order to achieve transparency and to have this national and global discussion is very helpful.”

Jewel Mullen, MD, MPH, Associate Dean for Health Equity at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, echoed this sentiment.

“We have a lot to do to keep people on board until it’s their turn,” she said. “Reflecting and continuous learning along the way will help put everything in context for big groups and individuals.”

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