(CNN) White House chief of staff told FDA chief vaccine must be authorized Friday or he needs to resign

(CNN) White House chief of staff told FDA chief vaccine must be authorized Friday or he needs to resign.

Stephen Hahn’s dilemma is real:

  • The Pfizer vaccine will certainly save lives of those who receive it. It is relatively safe compared to immunizations commonly given to international travelers, but  not as safe as a flu shot.
  • Unless administered in locations well equipped to handle anaphylactic shock, a few people may die in a very public manner.
  • People who die in public view are amplified by the media, transcending numbers and the net benefit of the shot to the public.
  • Those few casualties would greatly inhibit uptake of the Pfizer shot, and  even safer vaccines yet to come.
  • The result would be prolongation of the epidemic, possibly with more total deaths than if approval were denied.