US FDA chief makes alarming claim in memo: Covid vaccine deaths among children
In a stunning move, the top US vaccines official has made a provocative statement that could undermine public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. In a long and contentious memo to staff on Friday, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Vinay Prasad claimed that at least 10 American children died from COVID-19 vaccination between 2021 and 2024.
The astonishing admission has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, with many experts expressing alarm and dismay. Dr. Dan Jernigan, a former director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, described the memo as "sensational" and demanded to see evidence to support Prasad's claim.
The lack of concrete evidence has raised serious concerns among vaccine experts. "When you make that kind of sensational claim, it's incumbent upon you to provide evidence that supports that claim," said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious diseases physician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "He didn't supply any evidence."
Myocarditis, a rare side-effect associated with COVID-19 vaccination, is also under scrutiny. While myocarditis can be severe, the condition is more common and lethal when caused by COVID-19 itself, not by vaccination.
The memo has sparked widespread outrage among experts, who fear that the top-down changes could lead to a decline in vaccine uptake and public trust. "The ultimate outcome will be fewer vaccines and more vaccine-preventable illness," Dr. Jernigan warned.
Changing regulations for vaccine approvals without input from outside advisers or publication of data is also unprecedented. The FDA's new approach would require randomized trials showing clinical outcomes, rather than demonstrating immune responses for most new products. This move has been met with skepticism by experts, who argue that it could compromise the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
The proposed changes have significant implications for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Conducting new trials each year is not feasible, and updating flu and COVID shots in a timely manner would be crucial to prevent outbreaks and deaths.
"This is so dangerous and irresponsible," said Dr. Offit. "Children are getting hospitalized and children are still dying from this virus."
The confusion surrounding the memo has already begun to affect public trust in vaccines. "It's getting harder for them to know which recommendations to follow and who they can trust," said Dr. Jernigan.
As the scientific community struggles to understand the implications of Prasad's claim, one thing is clear: the future of vaccine development and distribution hangs in the balance.
In a stunning move, the top US vaccines official has made a provocative statement that could undermine public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. In a long and contentious memo to staff on Friday, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Vinay Prasad claimed that at least 10 American children died from COVID-19 vaccination between 2021 and 2024.
The astonishing admission has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, with many experts expressing alarm and dismay. Dr. Dan Jernigan, a former director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, described the memo as "sensational" and demanded to see evidence to support Prasad's claim.
The lack of concrete evidence has raised serious concerns among vaccine experts. "When you make that kind of sensational claim, it's incumbent upon you to provide evidence that supports that claim," said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious diseases physician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "He didn't supply any evidence."
Myocarditis, a rare side-effect associated with COVID-19 vaccination, is also under scrutiny. While myocarditis can be severe, the condition is more common and lethal when caused by COVID-19 itself, not by vaccination.
The memo has sparked widespread outrage among experts, who fear that the top-down changes could lead to a decline in vaccine uptake and public trust. "The ultimate outcome will be fewer vaccines and more vaccine-preventable illness," Dr. Jernigan warned.
Changing regulations for vaccine approvals without input from outside advisers or publication of data is also unprecedented. The FDA's new approach would require randomized trials showing clinical outcomes, rather than demonstrating immune responses for most new products. This move has been met with skepticism by experts, who argue that it could compromise the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
The proposed changes have significant implications for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Conducting new trials each year is not feasible, and updating flu and COVID shots in a timely manner would be crucial to prevent outbreaks and deaths.
"This is so dangerous and irresponsible," said Dr. Offit. "Children are getting hospitalized and children are still dying from this virus."
The confusion surrounding the memo has already begun to affect public trust in vaccines. "It's getting harder for them to know which recommendations to follow and who they can trust," said Dr. Jernigan.
As the scientific community struggles to understand the implications of Prasad's claim, one thing is clear: the future of vaccine development and distribution hangs in the balance.