Washington (AP) – Over the past two years, America has been the first to introduce vaccines and treatments for COVID -19. Now that drug makers are making the next generation of therapies, the White House warns that if Congress doesn’t act quickly, the United States will have to pick up the number.
A congressional standoff in virus funding has forced the federal government to restrict free treatment insurance and the reasonable supply of monoclonal antibodies. And officials in the Biden administration are increasingly concerned that the United States is also losing critical capacity to provide booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain a sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new options and a higher coverage.
Japan, Vietnam, Philippines and Hong Kong All made an order According to the White House, for treatment and vaccine doses may not yet be the United States.
A few months ago, the White House began warning that the country would spend $ 1.9 trillion on a U.S. rescue plan directly focused on addressing COVID-19. He asked for an additional $ 22.5 billion in what he called “urgent needs” both in the United States and abroad.
Last month, the Senate closed a small $ 10 billion package focused on household needs. But the deal also went ahead when lawmakers protested a statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would end Trump’s pandemic -related time limit restrictions.
The White House allowed doctors this week to show less greed by subscribing to the Paxlovid antiviral pill, which was originally rationed for people at high risk for serious consequences of COVID-19 but is now more widely available. The government order of 20 million doses last year has helped increase production capacity.
Paxlovid, given within five days of symptom onset, has been shown to result in a 90% reduction in hospitalization and mortality in critically ill patients. Approximately 314 Americans die daily from the corovirus, more than 2,600 at the peak of the Omicron wave earlier this year.
The United States used similar deals prior to the purchase to increase domestic supply and production of the COVID-19 vaccines, known to the Trump administration as “Operation Warp Speed.”
Now, with a new generation of treatments on the horizon, the United States is lagging behind.
Japan has already placed a pre-order for the upcoming COVID-19 antiviral pill from drug maker Shionogi, which studies have shown to be at least as effective as the Pfizer treatment, with less interaction with drugs, and easier to give.
Due to the funding delay, officials said the United States has not yet placed a pre-order to help the company with large-scale production of the pills.
“We know that companies are working to deliver extra life promises that will protect American citizens, and without additional funding from Congress, we risk losing access to this treatment, as well as to tests and vaccines, while other countries have the advantage. “We’re in line,” White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said. “Congress must act quickly after returning from a hiatus to provide the necessary funds to provide new protection for American citizens and to avoid dangerous consequences. “
More complex things are the time it takes to make antiviral and antibody treatments. The manufacture of Paxlovid takes about six months, and the monoclonal antibody treatment used to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious illness in people with immunodeficiency takes that long, i.e., the United States will not run out of stock by the end of the year. years.
Last month, the White House began cutting supplies of monoclonal antibody treatment in the United States to extend the shelf life of the supplies.
Administration officials declined to discuss specific treatments that were delayed due to contract requirements.
The funding debate has also disrupted the purchase of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, including a new generation of vaccines that better protect the Omicron variant.
Both Moderna and Pfizer are reviewing what scientists call “bivalent” footage – a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron -targeted version – Moderna announced last week that it hopes the version will be ready its this fall.
The Biden administration said that while the United States has adequate doses of the vaccine for children under 5 years of age, when they are approved by regulators, and for high -risk people over the age of 50 with fourth vaccine, they have no money. to order a new generation. Doses.
Earlier this month, former White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zient said Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Hong Kong have already received booster twelve in the future.
Republicans have shown no signs of withdrawal by insisting that before the Senate delivers the 10 GOP votes needed for a COVID-19 funding package, the House must vote on their efforts to continue the 42nd mandate during the Trump era. . The COVID ordinance, which requires authorities to immediately deport almost all migrants to the border, will be lifted on May 23.
Voting in an election year to continue this mandate would be dangerous for Democrats and many hope such a vote will not happen. Many say they personally hope Biden will keep immigration restrictions or have the court postpone repealing the rules, but Republicans can still force them to vote.
“Congress must take steps to ensure that this day will not be May 23,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DNY, said earlier this month that he expected legislation this spring to raise funds for COVID-19 and Ukraine. Ukraine’s assistance has broad bipartisan support and could help push such a package through Congress, but Republican opposition has forced lawmakers to reduce retaliation funding for the pandemic.
At least six Democrats and potentially 10 or more Democrats are likely to support the Republican amendment to extend the immigration mandate, which would be enough to ensure its passage.
Such a vote would be dangerous for democrats of resounding constituencies who need to address pro-immigration Democratic voters in a way that does not moderately stifle the growth of migrants, which should remove barriers.
Republicans have not said which language they share, but they can appeal against the bipartisan bill in the sen. By James Lankford, R.-Okla., And Kirsten Cinema, by D. Ariz.
This would extend any suspension of immigration limits for at least 60 days after a U.S. surgeon general declares a pandemic emergency. The administration should also propose a plan for the expected increase in cross-border migrants. Democrats advocating for maintaining immigration restrictions cite the administration’s lack of planning as their main concern, although the Biden administration insists it is preparing to increase border crossings.
This report was provided by AP writer Alan Fram.
Source: Huffpost
