[ad_1]
Operation Warp Speed director Dr Moncef Slaoui said on Wednesday he had tendered his resignation at the behest of President-elect Joe Biden.
Operation Warp Speed, first announced in May, is the Trump administration’s plan to coordinate with federal and private entities to rapidly develop and distribute safe COVID-19 vaccines to all Americans.
“As you know, I’m very supportive of this coming administration and, really, of course, the operation and its mission,” Slaoui told CNBC on Tuesday. “And I will do whatever I can to help them be successful. As part of this process, as I understand it, they have asked me to step down from my role as … Chief Science Advisor.”
He added that he “will support the leadership that” the Biden administration “puts in place” and that he and the new administration “have reached a contractual agreement” allowing him to step down as of January 21.
BIDEN CORONAVIRUS VACCINE PLAN WILL NOT CORRECT THE “ BOTTLENECK ” ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF PLANS: SAPPHIRE
“Like I said, in fact, in early December, before any vaccine approval was given, that once two vaccines were approved and two drugs were approved … it would probably be time for me to move on. thing and get back to my private life and private business, ”said Slaoui
The doctor continued to say that he had extended his term “in order to support the new team when they arrive”.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Slaoui said he handed in his resignation to the Trump administration on Tuesday and thanked them for “the opportunity to help our country and our people, as well as the peoples of the world,” he said.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, November 13, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
The administration hired Slaoui as a contractor rather than a private employee. Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized him for his financial ties to GlaxoSmithKline and Moderna, according to NPR.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) told NPR the doctor resigned his seat on Moderna’s board and sold his shares in the company, but would not give up not to his shares in GlaxoSmithKline because it was about his retirement savings.
BIDEN APPOINTS OBAMA-ERA AS A SAMANTHA UN AMBASSADOR TO LEAD USAID
The spokesperson added that Slaoui is “invaluable to the decisions of the board of directors, but he does not commit the government to any financial obligation. Operation Warp Speed’s investment decisions are recommended and approved by the Board of Directors of Operation Warp Speed (BoD) on a weekly basis. “
In an emailed statement to NPR, Slaoui said he “had accepted this role out of commitment to public health and to help our nation and the world bring this deadly pandemic under control.”
BIDEN HHS PICK BECERRA “ LOOKING FORWARD ” TO WORK “ IN GOOD FAITH ” WITH THE REPUBLICS, IF THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONFIRMED
“Throughout my career, I have always held myself to the highest ethical standards, and that has not changed since taking this position. The professional ethics officers at HHS determined my status as an entrepreneur, assignments and resignations brought me up to ethical standards, ”he said.
[ad_2]
Source link