Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

FDA Says Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Meets Requirements for Emergency Use Authorization; Doctor Says, Tiger Woods Suffered Significant Orthopedic Injuries; Senate Committees Postpone Votes on Tanden's Nomination. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired February 24, 2021 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:00:00]

POPPY HARLOW, CNN NEWSROOM: Good morning, everyone. It is the top of the hour. We're glad you're with us. I'm Poppy Harlow.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN NEWSROOM: And I'm Jim Sciutto.

We begin with another big step, a substantial one and a good one in the race to vaccinate America. The FDA is preparing to move forward with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. This would be the third approved for use in this country. The agency revealing this morning that the single dose vaccine -- and this is key, only requires one dose, you don't have to come back -- is more than 66 percent effective against moderate to severe illness and meets the requirements for what's known as emergency use authorization. Once authorized, possibly as soon as next week, Johnson & Johnson will join Pfizer and Moderna as the third vaccine now available to millions of Americans.

The three vaccine makers have committed to a combined -- listen to this figure -- 240 million doses by just the end of next month. I mean, this is enormous progress, Poppy.

HARLOW: Huge progress, it is great news.

But all this comes amid stunning news in the sports world, golf legend Tiger Woods is awake and responsive and recovering. That is the word this morning following this terrifying rollover crash in Southern California. He needed a lengthy emergency surgery to fix multiple injuries in his right leg, which included inserting a rod, screws and pins. We'll get to that in a moment, we're glad he's okay.

Let's begin with this data and this big news from Johnson & Johnson. Primary care and HIV Physician Dr. Oni Blackstock joins us now. She's also Founder and Executive Director of Health Justice, which supports health organizations and dismantling racism in the workplace and reducing health inequalities. It's great to have you on all these fronts, Dr. Oni Blackstock.

We've got to start with on the J&J news. What's your reaction? DR. ONI BLACKSTOCK, PRIMARY CARE AND HIV PHYSICIAN: Thank you, Poppy and Jim, for having me on. It's incredibly exciting news. We're now going to have potentially a third option, and not just a third option but one that, again, is a single dose that doesn't have the same storage requirements as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This vaccine can be stored for three months at normal refrigerated temperatures. And the data looks really encouraging. It's safe, efficacious and I think this will help to accelerate the vaccine rollout.

SCIUTTO: Tell us how quickly we see the effect of that. Because the country is already doing a decent job, right, with the two other vaccines. Though there have been hiccups in the second doses, you, of course, had interruptions from those big winter storms. But by adding in one that is a one-dose, and as you mentioned, doesn't require the same kind of storage, how much of a difference does it make in terms of making the vaccine widely available in this country? Could it move up the summer timelines we've been talking about?

BLACKSTOCK: Well, I think, initially, the estimation is that it will be 2 to 4 million doses initially released, and then I would think 100 million more in the next few months. So I think it will take some time before we actually see Johnson & Johnson, its addition, having an effect on the pace of the rollout. But I think it will get us to be in terms of getting most of the public vaccinated hopefully by the summer or early fall. that would be so great.

HARLOW: That would be -- it does living in a while from all of us. I mean, that would be so great.

Dr. Blackstock, even when there is enough vaccine or when we get to the day where vaccine exceeds demand, you've got the equity issue. And you are so focused on this, and rightly so. There's this new analysis that shows that the allocation of vaccine to be more nuanced to improve equity.

You wrote about it recently just a few days ago in The Washington Post. And you suggested and argue that black Americans should face a lower cutoff age for the vaccine. Can you explain how that would work, what state should do and how it would increase real equity?

BLACKSTOCK: Right. So the other Dr. Blackstock and I felt really compelled to write this op-ed really to get -- call attention to the fact that the fixed-age cutoffs that have been part of the vaccine rollout, so, for instance, prioritizing people aged 75 and older, don't take into account the reduced life expectancy of black Americans.

And we saw in data that was released last week that, overall, there was a decline in life expectancy among Americans, but that decline was greatest among black Americans. It also, for the first time in two decades, led to widening of the difference in the life expectancy between black and white Americans.

And we felt really strongly that sort of the disproportionate toll of the pandemic on black Americans as well as the effects of structural racism call for black Americans to have a lower vaccine cutoff because often we are getting underlying conditions at much earlier ages than our white American counterparts.

[10:05:07]

SCIUTTO: Dr. Michael Osterholm, whom we've had in this broadcast a number of times, he and some of his colleagues are calling for delaying a second vaccine dose for Pfizer and Moderna that require those second doses in order to get more people to have at least some coverage and protection now. And I wonder, given now the addition of J&J's option coming in here, is that something you support, in other words, get it out as much as possible, some immunity, and then worry about the second doses later?

BLACKSTOCK: I think there is more and more emerging data as the days pass on that lengthening the duration doesn't appear to impact outcome. So it looks like there's a great deal of protection that people receive from the first dose, as high as 70 percent, I believe, for Pfizer, and that that protection is boosted by the second dose.

But in situations in which there is a reduced supply like we have right now, at least in England, this is a real world case study, showing that delaying actually -- and prioritizing, vaccinating people with the first dose appears to be working.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

HARLOW: So good to have you. Thank you for what you and your sister and fellow Doctor wrote in The Washington Post. It's really important. And thanks for coming on the show.

BLACKSTOCK: Thanks so much.

HARLOW: Well, this morning, Tiger Woods is recovering at a Los Angeles Hospital. He is awake, we hear. He's responsive. This follows the emergency surgery for what doctors called significant orthopedic injuries to his leg.

SCIUTTO: Dan Simon joins us now from the site of the crash. First, though, Josh Campbell outside the UCLA Medical Center.

What's next? What are the next steps? Are there more operations to come how long is the recovery expected to be?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. We're waiting for additional details. We did learn that after that violent rollover crash yesterday, he was brought here to this level one trauma center. Authorities arriving determined that his condition was severe enough, they wanted to bring him here to this enhanced facility.

We're told that he underwent emergency surgery upon arrival, and here is what we know about his condition. Currently being described as awake, responsive, and recovering, but, of course, that was much different from yesterday. Authorities say that they actually had to insert a rod to stabilize the bones in his right leg. They also had to insert screws and pins in order to stabilize his right foot and the ankle bones. So, severe, serious injury there. Now, of course, the world of sport is watching. And this could obviously have been a lot worse, that also in the words of the sheriff, who says, when you look at that location where that accident took place, it is nothing short of a miracle that he didn't end up in a fatality. But, nevertheless, those serious injuries requiring hospitalization. He's here resting and recovering at this hour.

We're waiting to hear what his prognosis will be, whether this will be a long-term type recovery where he remains in this hospital. Of course, he doesn't live here in Los Angeles but we're waiting to hear those details from officials as they update us.

HARLOW: Okay, we're hoping for the best, for sure.

Dan Simon, let's go to you. You're at the site of the crash where this all happened. The investigators say he's lucky to be alive this morning.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No question about it, Poppy. The accident literally happened 24 hours ago. It was just after 7:00 A.M. local time when Woods sat in that vehicle basically motionless, unable to get out on his own. We know firefighters used an axe to get him out of that vehicle, breaking the windshield to get him out and then putting him on that backboard, rushing him to the hospital.

And the question remains how and why did Tiger Woods lose control of that SUV. We know from the sheriff that he was speeding. Exactly how fast he was going, we don't know. That, of course, will be part of the investigation. And investigators, once Tiger Woods is able, they'll want to talk to him. Perhaps they'll be able to speak to him in the hospital. We're told that he is up and alert, so perhaps he might be able to offer a recollection in terms of what ultimately happened.

But I tell you what, driving down this roadway, you can understand why this is a perilous roadway. We're told that accidents here are not uncommon. What you don't fully appreciate in terms of seeing the images on television is just how steep this roadway is. And if you're traveling at a high rate of speed and you get distracted in some fashion, it's easy to understand how an accident could occur. And we're told Tiger Woods hit the median, hit a curb, the car rolling several times before landing about 30 feet off the roadway. Poppy and Jim?

SCIUTTO: Goodness, very lucky indeed. Josh Campbell and Dan Simon, thanks to both of you.

So what do Tiger Woods' injuries mean for his future in the world of golf? We're going to speak to an orthopedic specialist, next.

[10:10:00]

HARLOW: All right. Also, key votes for President Biden's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, those votes have both now been postponed. What does this signal for Neera Tanden's future in that role?

And CNN gives you an exclusive look inside the Russian facility being used to produce Russia's COVID vaccine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCIUTTO: Well, not one but two confirmation votes on Neera Tanden's budget director nomination are now on hold.

[10:15:04]

Both the Senate Budget and Homeland Security Committees made that decision just this morning. A Senate Homeland Security Committee official said it postponed its vote because senators want more time to consider the nomination.

Poppy, I imagine there's a little horse trading going on as well.

HARLOW: I think they're right. Let's find out more from our colleague, Lauren Fox. She joins us on the Hill this morning.

Lauren, I mean, they knew it was going to be tough to get Tanden through, I just wonder what does this signal, that it's going to be dead or that they're going to make it?

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it certainly signals that this nomination is in serious jeopardy. And, of course, we've known that since Friday when Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from the state of West Virginia, announced he would not support Tanden's nomination. Without all the Democrats united, they needed to find some Republican to cover that vote.

Essentially, they have been looking towards Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, who has not said whether or not she would support Tanden or not. But I think that it's significant that these hearing markups were postponed in part because of who serves on these committees.

First, the Homeland Security Committee includes Senator Kyrsten Sinema. She's a Democrat from the state of Arizona, a conservative Democrat, who has not said whether or not she would support Tanden. When they talk about members needing more time, that's the member that they perhaps are talking about.

We are also, of course, looking at the Senate Budget Committee. That is chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from the state of Vermont, who also has not said whether or not he would support Tanden.

So, certainly, her nomination in trouble this morning. The White House saying that they will continue to back her, but time is running out here.

SCIUTTO: Okay. Two other cabinet nominees, confirmation hearings today, and they've got a tight path as well.

FOX: Well, that's exactly right. That's the name of the game right now up here. You have a tight path if you are one of Biden's nominees because of that 50/50 Senate. You have to hold all the Democrats together. And we have two nominees, both Xavier Becerra for HHS secretary, as well as Deb Haaland to lead the Department of Interior, both of them have faced tough scrutiny from Republican senators, including people like Senator Mitt Romney, one of the moderate members who's voted for several other Biden nominees for cabinet jobs.

So I think one of the things to keep an eye on is what do Democrats, like Manchin and Sinema, think of both Becerra and Haaland.

Now, Manchin is interesting to watch, of course, because he is the chairman of the Energy Committee. He is also a member who is perhaps the most pro-energy when it comes to things like coal and fossil fuels, given the fact that he comes from the state of West Virginia. That could be a problem for Haaland, someone who has, in the past, when she was a member of Congress, supported policies like the Green New Deal. She's much more progressive on energy policies.

So we're going to be watching what Manchin says about her nomination. Of course, he told me yesterday he thought she was doing fine in her committee questioning. But Republicans arguing that they felt like she did not answer some of their questions directly enough. Jim and Poppy?

SCIUTTO: Deb Haaland, she would be the first Native American cabinet secretary, no small thing there. Lauren Fox, thanks very much.

Let's go to the White House now, CNN White House Correspondent John Harwood. And, John, the thinking of Tanden is interesting, right, because you might imagine the administration -- particularly look at Manchin's vote, right? Is he showing a little independence here by opposing her so he could go all in on the $1.9 trillion stimulus, would it make sense for the White House just to kind of make that trade?

JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think they do not intend to make that trade if they don't have to. Joe Manchin has made the trade himself. And it does give him more space to support that COVID-19 relief plan.

But I think the White House is waiting to see whether it's possible that Lisa Murkowski could support this nominee, just as Joe Manchin changed the onus for Republican senators. Before Joe Manchin declared, the White House believed Neera Tanden had one or more Republican votes. But it becomes more difficult for a Republican to vote for her if that's going to be the decisive vote.

By the same token, if the nominee can get a Republican vote, Murkowski, it becomes more difficult for someone like Kyrsten Sinema or Bernie Sanders to be the decisive vote against. So I think everyone is waiting to feel it out and see whether it's possible to get Murkowski. If not, obviously, the nomination is doomed but we're not quite at that point yet.

HARLOW: So, John, that's a great point. I mean, you've got these two other cabinet nominees, we've just talked about it a bit with Lauren, but you've got Xavier Becerra in terms of the HHS pick, and Deb Haaland for interior. I wonder if you have a sense of how the White House is feeling on this front given the criticism of them, what Romney has brought up in the last 24 hours. Is there a confidence they're going to eke through these committees?

[10:20:00]

HARWOOD: Yes, the White House is confident that both of those nominees, Haaland and Becerra, are going to make it. Remember, the flashpoints for them are not anything about personal conduct. Republicans are complaining about Neera Tanden's mean tweets. In the case of Haaland and Becerra, they're focused on policy differences that are pretty fundamental between the two parties, abortion in the case of Becerra, and climate and fossil fuels in the case of Haaland.

There are no Democratic nominees for HHS or interior who are going to be anti-abortion or pro-fossil fuel. That's simply not going to happen.

HARLOW: That's a good point.

HARWOOD: So if you have a straightforward policy disagreement, it becomes more likely the Democrats are able to hold together and the Republican objections from Mitt Romney won't matter. Until you get a declared Democratic member of the Senate coming out for either one of those, presumptively, they are favored to get confirmed, but we haven't seen that yet.

HARLOW: Right, and they don't know what Joe Manchin is going to do on those two either, so they're waiting for some word there.

HARWOOD: That's right, they're waiting. But the upset will be if he comes out against either of those.

HARLOW: That's right. Okay, John, great reporting, as always. Thank you so much.

Also this week on Capitol Hill, a big vote on a big bill, a $1.9 trillion bill, the COVID relief bill that's going to take place this week.

SCIUTTO: House votes Friday. Millions of struggling Americans say they desperately need that money.

Manu Raju joins us now. Manu, Democrats don't need Republicans to pass this, don't need a single vote. Do the Democrats have their caucus in line on this?

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It seems that way. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told me last night he does not expect any Democratic defections and they can't afford any Democratic defections, serious number of Democratic defections given how narrow the House majority is at the moment.

And republican opposition is stiffening as well. In a closed-door meeting that just happened this morning, I'm told from multiple members who are at the meeting that one Republican member after another railed on this bill. They started to go after the size, the scope, they believe that it's not focused. And this is going to be a message that the party will unify behind after months of being engaged in a bitter battle of the elections. Now, they see something, the leadership does, something to get their party behind.

Now, in a sign too that there probably aren't going to be any Republican defections, Tom Reed, a Republican who co-chairs the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, just told me moments ago there's so many issues with the bill that the popularity of it is going to wear off. So their belief, the Republicans are calculating, that despite its popularity, ultimately, they're going to go after other things that they don't believe should be in the bill.

But the Democrats say that this bill is popular because people needed $1,400 stimulus payments. As you can see, an extension of jobless benefits, money for childcare, for schools, for vaccine distribution.

So, both sides making different political calculations about what the American public needs at this moment, but set for Friday for House passage. And then the question will be can the 50/50 Senate move this bill forward? Because if no Republicans vote for it, which we're not expecting, they'll need all 50 Democrats to advance it, and that still remains a question, guys.

HARLOW: Another place Joe Manchin has a lot of power. And it's been interesting, Manu, to watch the sort of full-court press, the Rob Portman op-ed, about why they think this bill isn't the right one.

But before you go, Mike Pence, the vice president who was in clear danger during the Capitol insurrection and the president not looking out for his well-being in that, has made up with President Trump and fully behind him again.

RAJU: Yes. Behind closed doors, Mike Pence met with a group of House conservatives. And the message was that he and Donald Trump are in a good place. He said that they've been talking together, he talked fondly about their relationship, suggested nothing has been different now than in the past four years. I'm told he expressed no ill will towards Donald Trump about what happened on January 6th, even Trump tweeting attacks against Mike Pence as the pro-Trump mob came in looking for Mike Pence, putting his life in danger.

But, nevertheless, it appears he's not telling his colleagues and allies he has any concerns with Donald Trump. In fact, I'm told from the people who attended that meeting that Pence plans to put together an organization, a political organization to defend the Trump-Pence record. So we'll see the -- still the pull that Donald Trump has on his party, including his former vice president.

HARLOW: Yes, okay.

SCIUTTO: I'm curious if the president issued any words of apology to him for those comments and attacks. It would be interesting to know.

HARLOW: There's a lot we would like to know --

RAJU: Doesn't seem that way.

HARLOW: Yes, it doesn't. Thank you, Manu, for the reporting. Well, Tiger Woods this morning recovering, thank goodness, after suffering what doctors are calling significant injuries to his right leg and ankle. What does it mean for his future in the game of golf? We'll talk about that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCIUTTO: This morning, Tiger Woods remains at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He's said to be, quote, awake, responsive and recovering after emergency surgery on his leg. Orthopedic trauma specialists say they inserted a rod into his right leg to stabilize those two lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula.

[10:30:05]

HARLOW: Right. They also used screws and pins to stabilize the foot.