RFK Jr. withdraws $500 million in funding for vaccine development
The Ministry of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and withdraw funds for several vaccines that are being developed to combat respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and the flu.
Scripps News
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the latest Covid-19 shots for the fall season on August 27th, and has implemented the most stringent restrictions on who can access the vaccine since it became available.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services announced approval for social media platform X, saying emergency use permits for the Covid-19 vaccine have ended and vaccinations for Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax have been approved for “high-risk.”
Under updated approval, only people over the age of 65 and those with existing health problems are recommended for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to federal guidelines.
“These vaccines are available to all patients selected after consulting with a doctor,” Kennedy said in the post.
Pfizer said in a news release that the updated shot has been approved for use by all adults over the age of 65 and people over the age of 5.
Similarly, Moderna said its updated SpikeVax formula was approved for everyone over the age of 65 and over and over six months. Its new vaccine, Mnexspike, has been approved for all people over 12 years of age and over 65 years of age.
Rumors of a “ban” vaccine “is “unfounded,” the White House said
Kennedy previously said on May 27 that the Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be included in the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
Experts warn that the guidance could make it difficult for others who want a Covid-19 vaccine, as insurance companies generally follow federal recommendations.
Speculation that Kennedy planned to ban the vaccine entirely in late August, based on a report originally published by the Daily Beast on August 25th. Citing cardiologist and Kennedy’s associate Dr. Asemmalhotra, the report said HHS would move to pull the Covid-19 vaccine away within months.
The vaccine fight continues
While new, stricter guidelines have not reached levels of bans, Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism continues to be a point of competition between the HHS and other health officials.
The state’s health departments and national professional organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Obstetricians (ACOG), publicly denounced Kennedy in May, and announced its intention to recommend co-vactin for pregnant and healthy children.
He later portrayed more backlash when he fired all 17 former members of the Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices. This was a committee of health experts providing guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, replaced by members critics called unqualified. Some members, like Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in the anti-vaccine group.
AAP went to release its own schedule for August 19, saying that the federal process is no longer reliable. To reduce the likelihood of serious illness, it was recommended that all children between 6 and 23 months receive the latest Covid-19 vaccine. According to the guidance, children and adolescents aged 2-18 years without other high-risk factors such as immunosuppression can receive and should provide the vaccine without other high-risk factors such as immunosuppression.
In responses posted on social media, Kennedy has fought back against AAP criticism, meaning that the organization’s pro-vaccine views have been influenced by corporate pharmaceutical funders.
Under Kennedy, the updated CDC guidelines refrain from recommendations and instead suggest that parents consult with their child’s pediatrician on a case-by-case basis.
