The Trump administration is reportedly considering a gradual withdrawal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the market, as suggested by a report from the Daily Beast.
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a prominent figure within Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s inner circle, indicated that this decision might unfold over several months and could be executed in multiple phases. Malhotra expressed confusion among Kennedy's closest advisors regarding the continued prescription of the COVID-19 vaccine, stating, "those closest" to Kennedy "cannot understand" why it remains in use.
According to Breitbart, Malhotra, a British cardiologist, elaborated on the potential stages of this process, which might involve further analysis of existing data. He noted that the administration's recent discussions about vaccine injuries could lead to a decisive action.
"It could [happen] in a number of stages, including learning more about the data," Malhotra told the outlet. "But given the increased talk of vaccine injuries in the past few weeks among the administration, it could also come with one clean decision."
The skepticism surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine within Kennedy's circle is reportedly fueled by a 2022 peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Vaccine. This study, conducted by a group of physicians, university professors, and researchers, analyzed serious adverse events reported in clinical trials of Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in adults.
The findings suggested that recipients of these vaccines faced a 16 percent higher risk of "excess serious adverse events" compared to those who received a placebo.
In early August, Alana Mastrangelo of Breitbart News reported that Kennedy had announced the HHS's intention to halt investments and contracts related to mRNA vaccine development. Kennedy highlighted the role of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division within HHS responsible for cutting-edge scientific research.
He revealed that BARDA had recently reviewed 22 mRNA vaccine development investments and had begun the process of canceling them.
As the Trump administration contemplates this significant policy shift, questions remain about the implications for public health and the future of vaccine development. The ongoing debate underscores the need for a careful examination of the data and a balanced approach to addressing vaccine-related concerns.
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