“I don’t want my resignation to have anything to do with the new administration. I have a greater affinity for the new administration than the current one,” said Slaoui, a registered Democrat. “It doesn’t have to be black and white. I’m still available as needed.”
Slaoui said he always knows that his job at Warp Speed will be a temporary mission and will close his initial goal – to authorize two coronavirus vaccinations and two drugs.
Three coronavirus treatments, including two antibody drugs, have received emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. Pfizer and Moderna appear to be on the right track before vaccinations are authorized before the end of the year, as the latest data show their candidates are more than 90 percent effective.
“As I see it, do I add value or not?” Slaoui said. He said there is less need to stay at Warp Speed as more vaccines are approved and production increases.
Slaoui said he had no contact with the incoming administration yet, although health officials from the Trump administration held their first meetings with the Biden transition of Operation Widen Speed on Wednesday.
“As soon as we contact us, we share the information, but we persevere,” he said.
