Dr. Hotez: The W.H.’s Phrase ‘Operation Warp Speed’ Is ‘Just Awful,’ Feeds Anti-Vaxxers

RUSH TRANSCRIPT
TODD:  "Dr. Hotez, you’ve been concerned about the phrase “Operation warp speed.” Dr. Fauci also had. Explain to our viewers why that phrase in particular concerns you."
HOTEZ:  "Well, what I’m concerned about, chuck, is you know, we have got very aggressive antivaccine movement out there. And you know, their central tenants are, one, that vaccines cause autism, and I’ve spent a lot of my life refuting that. Because I’m a vaccine scientist, the parent of an adult daughter with autism and wrote this book “Vaccines did not cause Rachel’s autism,” which has made me public enemy number one with the antivaccine movement. But the other thing they allege is that, one, vaccines are not adequately tested for safety, that we rush vaccines, and that there is this cozy relationship between the pharma companies and the U.S. Government. And so, everything that’s been happening with some of the things moderna’s been doing and others, you know, plays right into, you know, all of the assertions made by the antivaccine lobby, to the point, and the White House “Operation warp speed” phraseology, which is just awful. And this is supported. Reuters published a study last week saying 25% of Americans probably won’t take the vaccine — won’t take covid-19 vaccines, even if they’re made available. And to the point I’m worried that we won’t have sufficient herd immunity to achieve all of our desired effects, so that creates a lot of concerns."