By Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. One year ago, if you had asked public health experts if there would be a safe and effective vaccine to protect us against the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) less than 12 months after learning about this novel virus, they would have declared it unlikely and pointed to the lengthy approval process for prior vaccines. Had you told them there would be not one but three safe and highly effective vaccines available, they would have declared it a medical miracle. Although the development of these vaccines was nothing short of a miracle, it was driven by science and the hard work and tenacity of American biomedical innovation. This past year, I have watched as scientists conducted rigorous and transparent trials to develop these COVID-19 vaccines, making history and saving lives. Through Operation Warp Speed, scientists and manufacturers were able to cut red tape, not corners, working day and night to conduct every study, every phase and every trial necessary to prove the vaccine's safety and efficacy. Whether it be the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, these vaccines are our tickets to living life as free as we did before, ending restrictions on movement and returning to normalcy. With these vaccines, we will be able to safely hug our grandchildren again, enjoy life's celebrations with friends and family, and return to places of worship with our communities. These vaccines have all undergone rigorous studies and are nothing short of effective in protecting against the severity of this virus and against hospitalization. In fact, these vaccines are even more effective than the yearly flu vaccine. There have been too many rumors and rampant disinformation on the safety and necessity of the COVID-19 vaccine, and as a doctor, I assure you that getting a vaccine is a far better option than getting COVID-19 and putting yourself or someone you love in the hospital or a grave. These vaccines are safe. These vaccines are effective. And these vaccines were developed based on facts and science. Just like Donald and Melania Trump, I too have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. I take the Hippocratic Oath very seriously, and I would not recommend this vaccine if I did not believe it was safe; it was developed using the best science available. Last week, during an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I asked Dr. Fauci how Congress can help reduce hesitancy toward the vaccine. He told me that the Trumps' and my decisions to receive the vaccine was the best example. In my nearly three decades of medical practice prior to serving in Congress, I witnessed vaccine hesitancy firsthand. I would see college students opt not to receive the measles vaccination prior to a mission trip and return from Mexico sick with measles. The best medicine we have is preventive medicine, and vaccines are one of, if not the most powerful preventive tools in our toolbox. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. We are fortunate to live in this country and in the state of Texas. This is a country where our freedoms have allowed American innovation to bring us toward the end of this pandemic. We are also fortunate to live in a country where we have the freedom to decide -- but as a doctor, I urge you to consult with your physician and consider receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The health and wellness of you, your family and your community depend on it. U.S. Rep. MICHAEL BURGESS is a Republican lawmaker who lives in Pilot Point. He is a medical doctor.

By Rep. Michael Burgess Today's doctors and nurses have access to medical tools, therapies, and cures that I could only dream about when I was in medical school. Between my time as a physician and as a congressman, I have witnessed several public health crises, including bird flu, swine flu, Ebola, and Zika, but never a health crisis as globally devastating as the COVID-19 pandemic. Equally so, I have not witnessed anything as inspiring as the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Operation Warp Speed (OWS) allowed for the collaboration of multiple federal agencies, the private sector, military, and scientists. This is an "all hands-on deck" endeavor. For these vastly different sectors to have worked together to develop safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in less than one year of learning the genetic sequencing of this virus is nothing short of extraordinary. It is also important to note that this operation did not cut corners. It is time to put an end to the rumors and false information. I have received both shots for the vaccine and take the Hippocratic Oath very seriously. I would not support a vaccine where science and data were not the driving decision makers in determining the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued not one, but three Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines. One EUA for Pfizer, another for Moderna, and most recently Johnson & Johnson. All three candidates exceeded the rigorous and globally recognized safety standards set by the FDA. The FDA requires COVID-19 vaccine candidates to enroll at least 30,000 people in their clinical trials; however, several COVID-19 vaccine trials have recruited up to 60,000 individuals. This means there are tens of thousands more subjects than usual generating the scientific data used to determine safety. Furthermore, the vaccine candidate is required to be at least 50 percent effective. Both Pfizer and Moderna reported over 94 percent efficacy, and Johnson & Johnson reported a 72 percent efficacy in U.S. trials -- all exceeding the required standard. The FDA did not alter the safety or effectiveness requirements for this vaccine. OWS made it possible for scientists and public health experts to work around the clock, seven days a week, ensuring limited delays when possible. Normally companies complete Phases I, II, and III of scientific trials sequentially before beginning the highly regulated manufacturing process. Instead, these vaccine candidates began the manufacturing process while undergoing trials, completing these steps simultaneously. While this is untraditional, it did not cut any corners. If the FDA determines the vaccine to be unsafe or ineffective, the companies are required to cease manufacturing. This is a large financial risk, and companies are still required to undergo every step of the approval process. The transparency throughout the vaccine development process by FDA, OWS, and vaccine manufacturers should enable Americans to trust the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. What is usually a highly confidential process was made as publicly accessible as possible through live-streamed meetings and hearings at the agency and in Congress. Phase 3 of the vaccine trials are to be overseen by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board. This is an independent, multidisciplinary group comprised of public health and immunology experts, serving as an extra guardrail to prevent any politicization of the approval process. Vaccine candidates must also pass the Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, a panel comprised of external scientific and public health experts. This committee approved each vaccine during publicly broadcasted meetings. It is important that you consult with your doctor, and I encourage you to receive the vaccine. When I became a doctor, I took an oath to "do no harm." I would not recommend this vaccine if I had any reservations about taking it myself. Our nation has learned a lot from this past year, but I stated at the beginning of this pandemic that American innovation would see us to the end. The swift development of the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best examples yet -- that by collaboration, trust, and innovation, we can make history. Michael C. Burgess, M.D., represents the 26th District of Texas and is a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

By Brad Wenstrup, Andy Harris, Michael Burgess and Mariannette Miller-Meeks Democratic leaders have spent months promising to "listen to the scientists;" however, when it comes to reopening schools and getting children back to in-person learning, their actions do not match their words. Being both physicians and members of Congress with direct patient care experience, we have closely followed the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the scientific data and studies compiled over the last year. Thankfully, given the emergency authorization of two vaccines and potentially more on the way under Operation Warp Speed, we are closer than ever to getting life back to normal. Over the course of the past year, we have studied and learned more about this virus and have similarly improved on how we respond to and adjust to this "new normal" in a safe and healthy manner. Unfortunately, while many restaurants and other businesses have managed to reopen safely, many schools remain closed since last spring, despite risk-assessment evidence to the contrary. According to the data available -- and the current administration's own recent public statements -- schools can, and should, safely reopen for the overall health and well-being of our children. Just a few hours after President Biden's newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) declared that "vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for safe reopening of schools," the White House walked back the scientist's statement, claiming it was not official CDC guidance. Clearly, that scientific answer was simply inconvenient for President Biden and Democrats. Teachers unions across America are pushing back on any calls for reopening and are resisting all efforts to take steps in that direction. Coupled with mounting parental frustration, local leaders are feeling pressure on all sides. Even some of our nation's most liberal cities have reached a breaking point -- Chicago's mayor, while calling for schools to reopen, says discussions with the local union have gone "backward." San Francisco's city attorney is suing its own school board and district over their reopening plan, calling it "ambiguous, empty rhetoric." Amongst the heated and contentious conversations, scientific facts should guide our solutions, and here's what we know. First, children are not at great risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. Second, while Democrats call for billions in new funding to help schools reopen, there are still billions in unspent funding for educational services from the previous COVID-19 relief packages, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Congress most recently provided an additional $82 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund in the December relief package. Third, and most critical to getting students and teachers back in the classroom, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Wolensky stated just this past week that the data -- the science -- supports the notion that schools can reopen even without teacher vaccinations. The data is clear. Unfortunately, some of our nation's public schools are failing our children. Virtual learning yields subpar results, and many students are falling further behind, especially those in low-income and underprivileged communities. Additionally, Clark County, Nevada, serves as a glaring example of the serious mental anguish children are enduring, as they have already had double the number of student suicides compared to last year. Unfortunately, the detrimental effects of keeping kids home are great, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics has stressed the importance of students returning to in-person learning.We should never allow teachers unions or any other entity to make unscientific decisions that affect the health and well-being of our children. We must listen to the scientists and reopen our schools immediately. Dr. Brad Wenstrup specializes in podiatric medicine and surgery and is a co-chair of the GOP Doctor's Caucus. He is an Iraq War veteran and currently serves as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Dr. Andy Harris specializes in anesthesiology and is the former head of obstetric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University. He serves as co-chair of the GOP Doctor's Caucus. Dr. Michael Burgess specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and practiced medicine in North Texas. He was recently elected a co-chair of the GOP Doctor's Caucus for the 117th Congress. Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks specializes in ophthalmology, served as president of the Iowa Medical Society, and is a former member of the Army Reserve. She was just elected to Congress to represent Iowa's 2nd Congressional District and is a member of the GOP Doctor's Caucus.