CNN 5 Things One Thing: Under RFK Jr.’s HHS, Who Decides the Facts?
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Jun 1, 2025 Dr. Paul Offit, a leading pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses alarming changes in vaccine recommendations under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He shares concerns about the potential erosion of public trust in science, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women. Offit emphasizes the implications of these policies on vaccine hesitancy and vulnerable populations, urging the importance of preserving scientific integrity amidst rising misinformation.
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Unilateral Vaccine Recommendation Change
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unilaterally stopped recommending COVID vaccines for healthy children and pregnant people.
- This decision bypassed FDA and CDC advisory committees and lacked public input, raising concerns about transparency.
Data Contradicts Vaccine Removal
- About 150 children died from COVID last year, half were previously healthy and most were under four years old.
- Removing vaccines from these children disregards data and is irresponsible.
FDA Limits Vaccine License Scope
- The FDA limited the COVID vaccine license to people over 65 or with high-risk conditions, excluding healthy children.
- This restricts insurance coverage and may increase out-of-pocket costs, discouraging vaccine use.