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Over the last few months, much has been learned about how Covid-19 spreads and ways to slow that transmission. Vaccine development is also progressing, but the news that AstraZeneca paused its Covid-19 vaccine trial to investigate the possibility of an adverse reaction is a reminder of the importance of conducting these trials with the utmost care. Attention is also needed on creating a national strategy to distribute a Covid-19 vaccine. As former state health officers in Massachusetts and Texas, we saw firsthand how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led efforts during the H1N1 flu outbreak in 2010-2011 to efficiently distribute a vaccine against it to residents. (John Auerbach and David Lakey, 9/14)

A vaccine for Covid-19 could emerge in the next several months. But first, clinical trials need to reach completion showing that the vaccines reduce Covid. The data must undergo multiple layers of scientific review to weigh risks against benefits. This includes careful analysis by career experts at the Food and Drug Administration, independent safety monitors, scientists who work for the vaccine manufacturer, and outside experts who advise the FDA. In a highly politicized environment, many Americans are understandably concerned about cutting corners. But the FDA’s career experts have publicly and clearly affirmed their commitment to the gold standard for review. As former FDA commissioners, we are confident in the FDA’s career scientists to oversee vaccine development rigorously. (Scott Gottlieb and Mark McClellan, 9/13)

The decision by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford to pause a large-scale, Phase 3 clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine candidate is a predictable speed bump in such research. Sky-high expectations for quick results against the coronavirus are quite understandable — everyone would like this nightmare to end soon. But it is dangerous and unreasonable to rush the research and development, and simply wrong to exaggerate the possibilities. All previous experience suggests this may take a while. President Trump recklessly pumps up the prospects for a vaccine to gain political advantage. (9/11)

As the novel coronavirus continues to infect people around the world, scientists have scrambled to understand its origins and evolution and learn how and where it is spreading. As a developer of gene-sequencing technology, I look to the virus’ genes for answers. (Josh Quick, 9/11)