Head of U.S. COVID-19 vaccine effort resigns at request of incoming Biden administration but will stay through transition – Pacifica Tribune

By Kristen Holmes, Sarah Mucha and Gregory Lemos | CNN

Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef Slaoui has submitted his resignation at the request of the incoming Biden administration, a source with knowledge of the events tells CNN.

Slaoui confirmed on CNBC Wednesday that he submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday to the Trump administration. Hell stay on for 30 days to ensure a smooth transition, a Biden transition official tells CNN.

Slaoui said on a call with reporters last week that he had been in contact with the Biden administration and has been asked to become a consultant when the transition happens, to which hes agreed, CNN previously reported.

Its common for a political appointee such as Slaoui to step down as part of the transition from one administration to another. It was not immediately clear if the Biden administration plans to appoint a successor.

During his appearance on CNBC, Slaoui touted the success of Operation Warp Speed in getting two vaccines authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration and said it was always his intention to return to private life once that was achieved. He said he decided to prolong his tenure in order to support the new team as they come in.

As you know, Im very supportive of this upcoming administration and really, of course, of the operation and its mission and I will be doing everything I can to help them succeed, Slaoui said.

Slaoui said he would continue to support the leadership of Operation Warp Speed in every possible way and expressed hope and confidence in the Biden administrations ability to take over the nations vaccination effort.

Its not clear whether Gen. Gustave Perna, chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, will stay in his role.

Slaoui has been the most visible official leading the Trump administrations vaccine effort and was a notable voice of cooperation at a time when President Donald Trump refused efforts to begin a transition following his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden.

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Head of U.S. COVID-19 vaccine effort resigns at request of incoming Biden administration but will stay through transition - Pacifica Tribune