COVID vaccine development could be damaged by politics, says former US Surgeon General

July 27, 2020

COVID Vaccine Development Could Be Damaged by Politics, Says Former US Surgeon General | GZERO World

"When we already have enough challenges with people understanding the science behind vaccines, we cannot afford to allow the development and approval of a vaccine to be further politicized," Dr. Vivek Murthy told Ian Bremmer on GZERO World. The former US Surgeon General expressed concerns that politics could hurt the process of development and distribution while shaking public confidence. He also discusses the current state of development for a COVID-19 vaccine, and possible scenarios for its efficacy once available.

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Protesters line the street outside Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, Florida, holding signs during a vigil on Aug. 10, 2025.

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60: A federal judge gave the White House and the Florida state government 60 days to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz,” a controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades that has become a symbol of US President Donald Trump’s severe immigration policies.

COVID vaccine development could be damaged by politics, says former US Surgeon General

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60: A federal judge gave the White House and the Florida state government 60 days to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz,” a controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades that has become a symbol of US President Donald Trump’s severe immigration policies.

COVID vaccine development could be damaged by politics, says former US Surgeon General

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More from GZERO Media

America’s retreat from global aid is leaving a massive funding gap that no other country is stepping in to fill, leaving the world’s poorest to pay the price, warns IRC president & CEO David Miliband on GZERO World with Ian Bremmer.

In this episode of Ian Bremmer’s Quick Take, Ian explores the state of capitalism in the United States.

“Pain and agony and suffering,” wrote Sam Angel, about his job hunt. He recently graduated with a masters in Cold War military history from Columbia University in New York, having decided to go right into a masters program after finishing undergrad.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

As global conflicts surge, the refugee crisis is spiraling out of control. How is the world responding? International Rescue Committee president & CEO David Miliband joins Ian Bremmer on GZERO World.

David Miliband, IRC president & CEO, joins Ian Bremmer on the GZERO World podcast to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis as the number of refugees and forcibly displaced people reaches record highs amid shrinking aid budgets and a pullback of US foreign aid.

A record 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide, straining poorer countries and an unraveling aid system. Ian Bremmer breaks down the refugee crisis and the growing threat to global stability.

60: A federal judge gave the White House and the Florida state government 60 days to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz,” a controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades that has become a symbol of US President Donald Trump’s severe immigration policies.