The Brian Lehrer Show RFK Jr. Wants to Test New Vaccines Against Placebos
May 6, 2025
Christina Jewett, a New York Times reporter specializing in the FDA and RFK Jr., delves into the implications of RFK Jr.'s recent announcement about vaccine testing against placebos. She discusses how these changes could impact COVID-19 booster shots and the future of vaccine safety, especially concerning ethical considerations in testing methods. Additionally, they explore the complexities of vaccine safety reporting, the historical trust issues surrounding vaccines, and the growing scrutiny of new mRNA technologies all while addressing public concerns and policy reevaluations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Placebo Trials Required for New Vaccines
- The FDA will now require placebo-controlled clinical trials for new vaccines, including annual COVID vaccine updates.
- This may delay vaccine availability due to the time needed for large safety and efficacy studies.
COVID Vaccine Formula Tweaks at Risk
- Unlike flu vaccines, annual tweaks to COVID vaccines might be treated as new vaccines by the FDA.
- Treating each update as new could make timely production difficult and harm vulnerable groups.
Dispute Over Placebo Composition
- RFK Jr. insists placebos in vaccine trials must be inert saline, not vaccine components missing the active ingredient.
- Experts find his view puzzling, as vaccine ingredients have been extensively studied and are generally safe.