US FDA head tells Senate hearing COVID-19 vaccine safety comes first

NEW YORK: The head of the US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday told a US Senate hearing that the agency will vet the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, downplaying the role of the Trump administration in its authorization process.

Career scientists working at the FDA will decide on a vaccine, US FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said.

"FDA will not authorize, or approve a vaccine that we would not feel comfortable giving to our families," Hahn said.