Ensuring Access to United States Government COVID-19 Vaccines
Executive Order 13962, signed December 8, 2020, directs the U.S. government to prioritize Americans for COVID-19 vaccines developed in the United States or procured by the government. Through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), leveraging Operation Warp Speed and with support from the Department of Defense, the order requires coordination with public and private partners (including state, territorial, and tribal governments) to distribute vaccines promptly and safely. It emphasizes that Americans, particularly the most vulnerable, should have priority access and that a sufficient supply should be available for all who wish to be vaccinated. After domestic needs are met, the order also authorizes facilitating international access to U.S.-government vaccines for allies and partners, coordinated by multiple agencies, with an interagency strategy to be developed within 30 days. The order preserves existing legal authorities and budget processes and notes that it does not create enforceable rights.
Key Points
- 1Domestic priority: HHS (via Operation Warp Speed) and DoD support to ensure safe and effective vaccines are available to the American people, with coordination across federal, state, territorial, and tribal entities to enable timely distribution.
- 2Priority access for vulnerable populations: The order directs that Americans have priority access to United States Government COVID-19 Vaccines, with emphasis on giving first access to the most vulnerable groups.
- 3Free vaccination and sufficient supply: The policy envisions vaccines being free for Americans and requires ensuring a sufficient supply for all who choose to be vaccinated.
- 4International access after domestic needs are met: Once domestic vaccine needs are met, the order directs facilitation of international access for allies, partners, and others, in coordination with USAID, Ex-Im Bank, and other agencies, consistent with law.
- 5Interagency coordination and safeguards: Within 30 days, the NSC Senior Director for National Security Affairs will coordinate development of an interagency strategy for implementing international allocation; the order maintains that existing laws, agency authorities, and budget processes remain in place.