Money Short, White House Focuses on COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments

Congress has shown little interest in authorizing the additional COVID-19 help requested by the White House since March. As a result, the Biden administration appears to be focusing all of its remaining funds on coronavirus vaccines and treatments.

The decision, which was originally reported by The Washington Post, implies that testing and storing protective equipment would be discontinued, despite the administration’s warning that future fall and winter coronavirus outbreaks might affect 100 million Americans.

“Due to a lack of additional funding, [the Department of Health and Human Services] is now forced to pull funds from other essential elements of our response to meet some basic COVID-19 response needs,” a White House official told The Hill. “This will allow the U.S. to get in line to procure some additional lifesaving vaccines for the fall, including next-generation vaccines if available, and procure additional lifesaving treatments.”

Consequently, around $10 billion in HHS monies will be reallocated. About half of the funds will be used to acquire updated coronavirus vaccines, while the other half will be used to purchase 10 million doses of the Pfizer drug Paxlovid.

It’s a desperate attempt by the White House, which has been requesting additional funds for coronavirus research from Congress for months. Initially, negotiations failed due to a debate over immigration. However, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recent gun violence, legislators have shifted their attention elsewhere.

It also appears to indicate that the Biden administration has, at least temporarily, conceded defeat in the fight for additional funding.

However, issues remain on the loom. Even with the diversion of funds, the White House official stated that “resources needed to secure enough vaccines for all Americans who may want them this fall.”

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The rumored move occurs on the same day Moderna claimed its new coronavirus vaccination designed to combat the omicron version creates more antibodies capable of combating the omicron variant than its initial injection. According to the corporation, the new vaccine is their “leading candidate” for a booster dose in the fall of 2022.