'Never seen anything like this': alarm at memo from top US vaccine official

Alarm is growing among vaccine experts in the US after a high-ranking official made explosive claims about Covid vaccines, citing at least 10 child deaths despite lacking concrete evidence. Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Vinay Prasad's memo, obtained by The Guardian, promises to revamp vaccine regulation but has sparked widespread concern.

The memo's sensational claim – that Covid vaccines have killed more healthy children than they saved – is alarming and has raised questions about the scientific basis for such a statement. Experts point out that there is no evidence to support this assertion, and that Prasad failed to provide any details on the cases or how initial investigations ruled them unrelated.

"This kind of claim makes it hard to trust the evidence," said Dan Jernigan, former director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. "When you make such a claim without providing evidence, it's like throwing a dart at a board."

Myocarditis – an inflammatory condition of the heart – is one side effect highlighted in the memo, but experts note that this rare condition is much more common and severe with Covid infection than vaccination.

"It would be necessary to prove that myocarditis was caused by vaccination, not by infection," added Paul Offit, infectious diseases physician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "You can't just assume it's from the vaccine without concrete evidence."

The memo has also raised concerns about the approach taken by the FDA, which is revising its guidelines on vaccine approvals and regulatory changes without consulting outside experts or publishing data.

"This is not how we do things here," said Offit. "It's highly unusual for the top vaccines regulator to share information like this in an email to all staff without first convening the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee."

The move has sparked worries that public trust will be severely damaged, leading to a decline in vaccine uptake and potentially putting lives at risk.

"The ultimate outcome will be fewer vaccines and more vaccine-preventable illnesses," warned Jernigan. "This approach is going to have serious consequences for public health."

Critics also point out that the memo has made nods to anti-vaccine activists' concerns, which is concerning given the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

"This kind of language could undermine confidence in vaccines and make it harder for the public to trust health agencies," said Dorit Reiss, professor of law at UC Hastings College of Law. "It's not a great time to take away influenza vaccines."

The confusion surrounding this memo has left many feeling uncertain about what evidence actually supports or contradicts vaccine claims.

"It's getting harder for them to know which recommendations to follow and who they can trust," said Jernigan.

OMG, I'm kinda shocked by this ! Vinay Prasad making such a huge claim without proof is super worrying... like, where's the data, dude? I get that everyone wants answers, but let's not spread info that could harm ppl. Vaccines are already saving so many lives! And myocarditis being more severe with Covid than the vaccine itself? That's a fact . Can't we just focus on getting vaccines out to people instead of arguing about this stuff all the time? Let's not let fear and misinformation ruin our chances at beating this pandemic

I'm so worried about the state of vaccine regulation in the US right now . It feels like we're taking a step back into the dark ages, you know? I mean, I remember when the polio vaccine was first introduced and how it saved so many lives - that's what we should be focusing on, not spreading misinformation and causing panic .

It's ridiculous that Vinay Prasad is making these claims without concrete evidence . I've seen this kind of thing happen before with anti-vaxxers, and it always ends in disaster . The FDA needs to take a closer look at their guidelines and make sure they're based on science, not speculation.

I'm also concerned about the impact this is going to have on public trust . When you start questioning the safety of vaccines, people get scared and hesitant to get vaccinated. And that's exactly what we need to avoid - more preventable illnesses and deaths .

It's time for some real experts in the field to step forward and set the record straight . We can't let misinformation like this spread like wildfire on social media. It's up to us, as a community, to promote vaccine safety and education .

I'm really worried about where this is heading . I mean, Vinay Prasad is a respected expert in the field, but come on, making such dramatic claims without concrete evidence? That's not how science works, you know? It's one thing to acknowledge potential risks like myocarditis, but to say that vaccines are killing more healthy kids than they're saving? No way, that's just reckless.

And what really gets me is the FDA's approach here - revising guidelines without consulting experts or publishing data? That's not how you build trust in public health, my friend. We need transparency and accountability, not some secret memo that comes out of nowhere.

I think it's time for us to have a real conversation about vaccine safety and efficacy. We can't just rely on anecdotes or emotional appeals; we need hard science and rigorous testing. And let's be clear: this is not about anti-vaccine activists; it's about responsible, evidence-based policy-making.

I'm seeing some red flags here . Vinay Prasad's memo claiming Covid vaccines have killed more healthy children than they saved is super concerning, but it's also got all the hallmarks of a poorly thought-out statement . No concrete evidence to back up the claim? Not exactly reassuring.

Myocarditis being a rare side effect that's much more common and severe with Covid infection than vaccination? That's just basic science 101, Vinay! How do you expect us to take this serious without seeing some actual data?

And what's up with the FDA revising guidelines without consulting outside experts or publishing data? This is not how you build trust in a system. It's like throwing your hands up and saying "we're going to just wing it" . Public health can't afford that kind of uncertainty.

This whole thing has got me worried about vaccine uptake and the potential consequences for public health . We need to get back to relying on solid science and evidence-based decision making, not just waving around unproven claims like a magic wand .

I'm really worried about this . It seems like Vinay Prasad is trying to stir up controversy without having solid proof to back up his claims. I mean, 10 child deaths? That's a pretty big number, but where are the details? What was the condition of these kids? Was it just a coincidence or could it be related to the vaccine?

It's not the first time we've seen this kind of anti-vaccine rhetoric and it's getting really frustrating . The FDA needs to do better than just sharing unsubstantiated claims with their staff. They need to consult experts, gather data, and follow a proper process.

And what about the potential consequences? If people start questioning the safety of vaccines, we could see a decline in uptake, which would put more lives at risk . It's not fair to the kids who actually benefit from being vaccinated.

We need to be cautious and critical when it comes to these kinds of claims . We can't just take things at face value or jump to conclusions. Let's get to the bottom of this and make sure we're making informed decisions based on science, not speculation .

I'm low-key freaking out about this Vinay Prasad memo . Like, I get that he's trying to shake things up but throwing around stats like that without concrete evidence is just reckless . And what's with nodding to anti-vaxxers? That's not cool at all . It feels like our vaccine experts are losing their credibility and it's scaring me . I mean, we need trust in the system right now more than ever. We can't just assume everything is fine when there's still so much to learn about these vaccines . This whole thing has me feeling super uncertain what's going on .

I gotta say, this is a total red flag . Prasad's memo sounds like it was ripped straight from an anti-vaxxer playbook . I mean, where's the proof? 10 child deaths without concrete evidence is just not believable . And to make matters worse, he's essentially giving oxygen to those who claim vaccines are deadly .

The FDA's approach here is super sketchy . No consultation with outside experts or publishing data? That's like trying to build a vaccine without knowing how it works . I'm all for transparency and accountability, but this feels like a recipe for disaster . We can't afford to have public trust damaged over some unsubstantiated claims .

And what really gets me is that Reiss said this language could undermine confidence in vaccines . That's just devastating . Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have against preventable diseases . We can't let misinformation tear us down .

I'm low-key worried about this whole thing . I mean, Vinay Prasad is a legit expert, but sharing unsubstantiated info about Covid vaccines killing more healthy kids than they saved? That's just not right . And now the FDA is revising its guidelines without consulting outside experts? Not cool .

The thing is, we need evidence-based decision making, not just assumptions or nods to anti-vaccine activists' claims . It's easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment, but public health should be about science and data, not fear-mongering .

And yeah, myocarditis being a rare side effect that's more common with Covid infection than vaccines is a fact . But still, we need concrete proof before making claims like Prasad did . It's time to take a deep breath and focus on the science, not sensational headlines .

All this drama might just make people think twice about getting vaccinated, which would be disastrous for public health . We can't afford to have vaccine uptake decline when we need it most .

come on Vinay Prasad, did you really think making a bold claim like that would fly? 10 child deaths from Covid vaccines without any concrete evidence is just a red flag waving in the wind . I mean, have you even looked at the actual data? it's not like you're some kind of medical genius or anything

And now you're revamping vaccine regulation? that's just gonna create more confusion for people who are already scared about vaccines . And what's with the nod to anti-vaxxers? did you really think you could play nice with them and make everyone trust you again?

I'm all for scrutinizing vaccine safety, but let's do it like adults not by throwing around unsubstantiated claims and scaring people half to death . Myocarditis is a real concern, I get that but we need actual evidence before we start linking it to vaccines .

The FDA's approach might be weird, but at least they're trying to have some transparency . The problem is the lack of trust here and this memo has just made things worse

I don't usually comment but... it's crazy how one person's memo can shake things up so much . I mean, 10 child deaths is a pretty big number, but without concrete evidence, it just seems like a red flag to me. And what's with the myocarditis thing? I'm no expert, but isn't that already known to be more common in people who get infected than vaccinated?

And then there's this whole FDA thing... revising guidelines without consulting outside experts or publishing data? That doesn't sound right to me . It's like they're just winging it and hoping for the best. And what about all these anti-vaccine activists who are already stirring up trouble? This memo could totally fuel their fire and make people even more hesitant about getting vaccinated .

I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this whole thing just feels like a recipe for disaster . We need concrete evidence and careful thought before making big claims like that. Otherwise, we're just playing with fire .

The alarming claim made by Vinay Prasad regarding the alleged link between Covid vaccines and child deaths is deeply concerning . The lack of concrete evidence supporting this assertion, coupled with the absence of details on the cases in question, raises significant red flags about the scientific basis for such a statement.

It's essential to approach this matter with a critical eye, as unsubstantiated claims can have far-reaching consequences and undermine public trust in health agencies . The fact that Prasad failed to provide any evidence or detail his investigations is particularly disturbing.

Furthermore, the memo's nod to anti-vaccine activists' concerns raises questions about the FDA's approach to regulation and the potential for politicization of vaccine policy . This could lead to a decline in vaccine uptake, putting lives at risk.

The consequences of such an outcome would be severe, including increased cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses and potentially fewer vaccines being developed and distributed . It's crucial that health agencies prioritize evidence-based decision-making and transparency in their processes.

Ultimately, the public needs clear guidance on what evidence supports or contradicts vaccine claims, as the current confusion can lead to uncertainty and mistrust .

this whole thing is so frustrating i mean, where's the concrete evidence? vinay prasad just throws out some alarming stats without even bothering to share the context or methodology behind it. and now we're hearing that the fda is revising its guidelines without consulting outside experts? sounds like a recipe for disaster to me

and can we talk about how this memo has already damaged public trust? i think jernigan's warning is spot on - fewer vaccines = more vaccine-preventable illnesses. it's just common sense, but apparently that's not what vinay prasad is going for

I'm freaking out over this . I mean, come on! A high-ranking official just goes around making these explosive claims without any concrete evidence? It's like throwing a dart at a board, as Dan Jernigan said . What if this sets off a chain reaction of misinformation and people start panicking about vaccines? We're already having issues with vaccine hesitancy, do we really need more fuel on the fire ?

And what's with the FDA being revising guidelines without consulting outside experts or publishing data? That's just not how it works . This is a huge red flag and I'm worried about public trust being severely damaged . We need to see some serious accountability here.

I'm all for keeping an open mind, but we can't just make unsubstantiated claims like this without evidence . It's not just about the vaccines themselves, it's about public health and safety. Let's get some facts on the table before we start making waves .

I'm so worried about this . Like, I've been studying public health in school and we just learned about the importance of evidence-based decision making. Vinay Prasad's memo is basically saying that Covid vaccines are killing more kids than they're saving without any concrete proof . It's like, what if it's true but how can we be sure? My heart goes out to all those families who might be worried about their kids' safety .

We need more transparency and scientific rigor in vaccine development and approval . I wish our school's health class would cover this topic more because it's so crucial for public health awareness . And, like, if the FDA is revising guidelines without consulting experts or publishing data, that's a big red flag .

It's not just about the vaccine itself but also about the trust between healthcare providers and the public . If people start questioning vaccines, it can have serious consequences for public health . We need to be careful with our words and actions, especially when it comes to science and policy .

Ugh, I'm so frustrated with the state of online forums and news platforms . Can't we just have a simple discussion without all the drama and misinformation? This whole thing with Vinay Prasad's memo has me scratching my head... 10 child deaths from Covid vaccines? Without evidence? It sounds like a wild conspiracy theory to me .

And what's up with these experts being quoted left and right? Can't we get some actual news anchors or journalists on the beat instead of just relying on their colleagues' opinions? The language used here is pretty sensationalized too... "Alarm growing among vaccine experts" sounds like something from a tabloid .

Not to mention, the FDA's revised guidelines are being met with this kind of skepticism and hand-wringing . Can we please just focus on fact-checking for once? I'm tired of reading articles that make me feel like I need a degree in medicine to understand what's going on .

And honestly, I'm a bit concerned about the direction public health is heading in . We need concrete evidence and facts, not emotional appeals or nods to fringe theories . Can't we just stick to the science for once?

I'm really worried about the impact of Vinay Prasad's memo on public trust in vaccines . But, you know, it's also kinda interesting that this is happening now . Maybe it means we'll finally get some more transparency and scrutiny around vaccine approvals ? And think about all the experts speaking out against this kind of language - like Dan Jernigan and Paul Offit, who are really good at their jobs . It's a shame that anti-vaccine activists' concerns are being legitimized by the memo though . We need to be careful about how we're framing vaccine safety conversations .

And, I guess this is kinda a big wake-up call for all of us - the importance of fact-checking and evidence-based decision making . Maybe it's time for some bigger conversations around public health policy ?

I'm really worried about this whole thing. I mean, Vinay Prasad is a top expert in his field, but still making unsubstantiated claims like that? It's just reckless . And now the FDA is revising its guidelines without consulting experts or publishing data? That's just bad practice .

And you know what really gets me? The fact that this memo has sparked concerns about public trust and vaccine uptake. I get it, we all want to be skeptical of new information, but not when it comes from a credible source like the FDA . And then there's the fact that this language could undermine confidence in vaccines... that's just devastating .

I think what we're seeing here is a perfect example of how alarmism can creep into our scientific discourse . We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions or spread misinformation . I'm all for scrutiny and debate, but we need to do it with facts, not fear-mongering .

We just have to hope that this whole thing blows over soon, and we can get back to making informed decisions about vaccines . But until then, I'll be keeping a close eye on this .

its super concerning that vinay prasad just shared some pretty serious info about covid vaccines without concrete evidence to back it up. my heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones but also makes me wonder how many more lives might've been saved if we had better data

this is super worrying, especially since vinay prasad hasn't backed up those 10 child deaths with actual proof it's one thing to investigate something but throwing out such a claim without concrete evidence is just not right what's really scary is if people start to lose trust in vaccines and that can lead to a lot of preventable illnesses going unvaccinated the FDA needs to do better on this too, involving experts from outside their walls