Key House oversight panel to hear from experts on how vaccines should be evaluated for safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A key House oversight panel, led by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), announced today that it will hold a hearing next week to hear directly from some of the nation's leading scientists and public health experts about the criteria that makers of a COVID-19 vaccine should be required to meet before any potential cure is approved for distribution here in the U.S.

The hearing, to be held by the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee – which has direct oversight of the nation's health agencies – comes as Americans' confidence in the safety of any vaccine approved for use in the U.S. has begun to wane.

According to a recent CBS News poll, just one in five Americans say they would immediately get a coronavirus vaccine if one became available – that's down from 32% who said they would get one as soon as possible when asked in late July.

"In order for any vaccine to be successful, it must first earn the trust and confidence of the American people," DeGette said. "This hearing will give us a chance to hear directly from some of our nation's top experts about the criteria these companies should be required to meet before their vaccines are approved."

The hearing, which will take place Wednesday, September 30, at 11:30 a.m. EDT, will give lawmakers a chance to hear directly from some of the nation's top experts who will explain the criteria that must be met in evaluating whether a vaccine is ready to be distributed to the public.