The administration calls Moncef Slaoui, who leads its vaccine race, a "contractor" to sidestep rules against personally profiting from government positions. Slaoui owns $10 million in stock of a company working with his team to develop a vaccine.

The executive order signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom late Wednesday is a response to threats made to health officers across California during the coronavirus pandemic.

Shielding the identities of clinicians and statisticians on the board is meant to insulate them from pressure by the company sponsoring the trial, government officials or the public.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of sepsis saves lives.

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is blamed for dramatic year-over-year reductions in healthcare services for children.