Trump says may or may not approve stricter FDA guidelines for Covid-19 vaccine

President Donald Trump said the decision of whether to approve the stricter guidelines for a Covid-19 vaccine may appear to be "a political move". PHOTO: AFP

Updated

Published

Sep 24, 2020, 07:15 AM

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Sept 23) he may or may not approve potentially new, more stringent standards for emergency authorisation of a Covid-19 vaccine by the US Food and Drug Administration, saying such a move would appear political.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday the FDA would issue the guidance to boost transparency and public trust as health experts have become increasingly concerned the Trump administration might be interfering in the approval process.

"That has to be approved by the White House. We may or may not approve it," Mr Trump told a White House news conference.

"That sounds like a political move."