Commissioner: Tennessee health officials mulling independent survey of COVID vaccine

Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey says an independent committee could evaluate a COVID-19 vaccine for Tennessee following its release from federal officials to dispense to the public.

Several states including California and New York have already committed to a separate exam of the antitoxin that supporters say gives an extra level of assurance while opponents said it politicizes the process.

“It’s something that we’re watching with precedents in other states. We are learning more every day and it’s something we discuss a lot so when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross but it’s something on our radar,” Piercey said during a news conference in Nashville.

A draft plan says Tennessee will distribute the vaccine to its 95 localities based on population with 10 percent allocated for emergency reserves.

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