Covid-19: The CDC, the Vaccine Roll-Out, and Ethics and Policy Issues Surrounding Immunity Passports

This past week, the Covid-19 surge reached unprecedented heights. Tragically, we hit 300,000 deaths in the U.S. President-elect Joe Biden announced his choice for a new director of the CDC, and the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine. At this week’s special UCSF Covid-19 Grand Rounds, we’ll discuss this dizzying mix of good and bad news with several experts.

We’ll begin with a fireside chat with Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, who began her career at UCSF – doing pioneering research on HIV prevention – and remains on our adjunct faculty. She went on to run the CDC from 2002-2009, during which she led the response to the SARS epidemic, as well as restructuring the agency to deal with bioterrorism threats. After leaving CDC, she had a number of senior leadership roles at Merck, the world’s 5th largest pharmaceutical firm, including as head of vaccine research. She is currently Merck’s Executive Vice President and Chief Patient Officer.

We’ll then get an update on UCSF’s vaccine distribution program, including the results of the first few days of the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine. Speakers will be Desi Kotis, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Executive, and Susan Smith, MD, Chief Faculty Practice Officer.

Finally, the rollout of vaccines will, inevitably, raise the question of whether there will – and should – be immunity passports: documentation of immunity that opens certain doors, including to schools, workplaces, stadiums, and travel. We’ll discuss this complex issue with David Studdert, ScD, LLB, MPH, Professor of both Medicine and Law at Stanford. The session is moderated by UCSF Dept of Medicine chair Bob Wachter, MD.

Program
Bob Wachter: Introduction
00:05:30-00:36:39 – Fireside chat with Julie Gerberding, Merck’s Executive Vice President and Chief Patient Officer
00:36:42-00:54:19 – UCSF Vaccine Distribution Program with Desi Kotis (UCSF Health’s Chief Pharmacy Executive, Associate Dean, School of Pharmacy) and Susan Smith (UCSF Health’s Chief Faculty Practice Officer)
00:54:26-00:58:12 – Q&A
00:58:14-01:10:23 – Immunity Passports: David Studdert, Professor of Medicine and Professor of Law, Stanford University
01:10:26-01:20:56 – Q&A
Bob Wachter: Closing

See previous Covid-19 Medical Grand Rounds:
• December 3: Covid-19: How Should We Handle the Schools, and the Challenges of Vaccine Distribution
• November 19: Covid-19: Update on Vaccines and Therapeutics
• November 5: A Conversation with Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Ezekiel Emanuel, and Andy Slavitt: The Implications of the Election on the Future of the Pandemic
• October 22: The Third Wave, the View from Wisconsin, & Navigating Risk in Covid-19

[M.MDesignz]

I've been seeing a lot of dental hygienist who is certified in anesthesia saying that their state is going to allow them to give coronavirus vaccines. How is this possible when that certification does not cover that and the hygienist does not give vaccines to begin with.

[t.c.s.]

Interesting how individuals working at the CDC easily transition into positions with large pharmaceutical companies.

[UnknownMoses]

Saying the CDC has used science in relation to covid is laughable!

[thomasbutler]

So the stay at home orders effect started today. The order ends when regional icu capacity has been projected to end for at least 3 weeks. How are icu capacity projections calculated?

[HealthMedicineMDMPH]

Prepare ourselves with related information and knowledge is vital. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

[koaxed]

Female fertility tapers off before the risk profile of COVID really picks up. Seems risk-unjustified to vaccinate pregnant women.

[kevingormley]

“Politicized” is a code word for people that do not agree with your views. People on both sides use that word and they do not even know they are doing it.

[Patrick_Ross]

Fascinating discussion on immunoprivilege and immunity passports. I believe it will be necessary for both private industry and government agencies to have at least a basic program in place for their employees. Otherwise the damage, both to health and to the economy, will be unnecessarily drawn out.

[buzzpedrotti]

Can California vaccinate 30 million adults in 3 months? That's a city the size of SF every 2 days! For 90 days!

I don't think Gavin is actually ready with the places and teams to do this. I hope I'm very wrong.

[robertoshea]

They took the dislike count off for a reason. The band wagon effect.

[cerdh]

Here comes the trolls in the comments. For the first 6 months none. Just an FYI reported, for miss information for some.
UCSF proud alumni who knows who are bots vs real people... Community guidelines, read above otherwise you are blocked... FYI.

[tonygiles]

We should all be taking high levels of vitamin D whether or not you take the vaccine, as it is a wonder help for so many of the body’s functions.

[eclairebandersnatch]

More importantly, those bottles of wine on the counter haven't moved in over 2 weeks!

[richardsonwest]

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[winsowtosigh]

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[Deejay]

How do you handle the non believers, they're so tiring

[koaxed]

Is Anthony Fauci the politician that she's speaking of?

[matthewhead]

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