Question

Who approved the COVID-19 vaccines? Were the interests of my community represented?

22 December 2020. Related: All topics, Complications and coinfections.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Vaccines are approved by the same organisations that approve medicines. They were approved for all people.

• This is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.
• In Europe it is  the European Medicine Agency (EMA)
• In the US it is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Other countries and regions have similar organisations.

Each of these groups is made up of expert advisors who are mainly scientists and doctors but that sometime include community voices.

The panels are responsible for representing interests of all people who are going to be using these products.

The FDA is especially open as it publishes the detailed study results online for everyone to read. If also webcasts the meeting that decide on where a vaccine or medicine is approved.

This is one of more than 40 questions about COVID vaccines. It was produced by and for people living with HIV.
Q&A on COVID vaccines: are they safe and effective?
https://i-base.info/qa/16330