Senator Rand Paul called for answers Monday in a letter to CDC director Rochelle Walensky detailing how the agency contracted PR firm Weber Shandwick, which also represents Pfizer and Moderna, to carry out research for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
In the letter Paul demands the CDC release non redacted documents detailing the company’s work with the NCIRD.
Paul writes “On September 28, 2020 CDC awarded a federal contract award to Weber Shandwick to conduct marketing consulting services for the [NCIRD]. NCIRD is responsible for providing management and support services to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which issues recommendations to CDC on vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Paul further notes that the firm “embedded” some “10 on-site health communications staffers, seven health comms specialists, two health research specialists and one social media specialist,” as part of a deal costing $55.2 million and paid for partially with COVID emergency funds.
Paul notes that “target audience research,” was carried out including “promoting vaccines and communicating the risks and recommended actions for outbreaks,” in addition to “generating story ideas, distributing articles and conducting outreach to news, media and entertainment organization.”
“Weber embedded staff within CDC to promote vaccines and provide communications services related to COVID-19,” Paul asserts, adding “while simultaneously representing the interests of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, two pharmaceutical companies actively seeking federal approval of their respective COVID-19 vaccines.”
Paul further urges that this “raises serious concerns about the independence of CDC and ACIP’s vaccine recommendations,” adding that it could represent a conflict of interest.
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