A lawyer working with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to pick high well being officers for the subsequent Trump administration has petitioned the federal authorities to revoke its approval of the lifesaving polio vaccine for youngsters ― and he might have a distinguished job in a Health and Human Companies Division led by Kennedy.
The New York Occasions revealed the connection in a report Friday, discovering that Aaron Siri, the lawyer Kennedy has been consulting, has filed a number of authorized petitions to dam vaccines on behalf of the Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community lately. That features a 2022 petition for the Meals and Drug Administration to withdraw its approval of a regular polio vaccine for infants and kids, claiming the company must do additional research to show its security.
Polio could cause paralysis and loss of life. Earlier than the vaccine was accredited in 1955, there have been about 16,000 instances of polio yearly within the U.S. As we speak the illness has practically been eradicated amongst People, although instances do pop up. In latest months, the lethal illness has resurged in Gaza.
On behalf of ICAN, Siri has additionally petitioned the FDA to droop vaccines for hepatitis A, tetanus and diphtheria.
DAVID DEE DELGADO by way of Getty Photos
When reached for remark, the FDA stated it was “continuing to review these petitions” from Siri however that it “cannot predict when the reviews will be completed.”
“Until such time, we cannot comment further,” a spokesperson for the division stated.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention declined to remark for this story.
Siri might have a high job on the HHS if the Senate confirms Kennedy, a distinguished vaccine skeptic, as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to guide the division. In keeping with the Occasions, Kennedy has been privately expressing curiosity in making Siri basic counsel for the division.
If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee the FDA and a number of different federal public well being businesses.
Siri declined to remark to the Occasions, however a spokesperson for Kennedy stated Siri has not mentioned his petitions with any of the well being nominees. “Mr. Kennedy has long said that he wants transparency in vaccines and to give people choice,” the spokesperson stated.
Trump has expressed openness towards a few of Kennedy’s baseless vaccine issues. In his Time journal “Person of the Year” interview printed Thursday, he steered there might be advantage within the unfounded declare that vaccines trigger autism.
“We’re going to have a big discussion,” Trump stated when requested if he would log off on Kennedy ending childhood vaccination packages. “The autism rate is at a level that nobody ever believed possible. If you look at things that are happening, there’s something causing it.”
Democracy In The Stability
Already contributed? Log in to cover these messages.
He made related remarks throughout an look final weekend on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“I think vaccines are — certain vaccines — are incredible. But maybe some aren’t. And if they aren’t, we have to find out,” Trump stated.
He additionally described the polio vaccine as “the greatest thing,” saying: “If somebody told me to get rid of the polio vaccine, they’re going to have to work real hard to convince me.”
