Why are former FDA leaders criticizing the agency's vaccine stance?

Former FDA leaders are criticizing new assertions that cast doubt on vaccine safety and proposed policy changes they believe would harm the public.

What are the main concerns raised by former FDA commissioners regarding vaccine policy?

They are concerned that proposed changes represent a major shift in the FDA's mission, reject long-standing science, and lack transparency.

Did the FDA claim COVID-19 vaccines caused child deaths?

An internal FDA memo reportedly claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused 10 child deaths, a claim former FDA leaders contest due to lack of evidence.

Home / Health / Ex-FDA Chiefs Slam Agency's Vaccine Safety Doubts

Ex-FDA Chiefs Slam Agency's Vaccine Safety Doubts

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A dozen former FDA leaders criticized new vaccine safety assertions.
New directives signal a major shift in the FDA's core mission.
Critics point to unsubstantiated claims of child deaths from COVID-19 vaccines.

Ex-FDA Chiefs Slam Agency's Vaccine Safety Doubts

A coalition of twelve former U.S. Food and Drug Administration leaders, appointed across various administrations, has sharply criticized recent agency pronouncements questioning vaccine safety. They contend that proposed changes to how vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses are managed represent a fundamental departure from the FDA's protective mission.

The former officials voiced these concerns in a published commentary, stating the new directives are not minor adjustments but a major shift in the agency's understanding of its responsibilities. They specifically challenged an internal memo's claims regarding child deaths attributed to COVID-19 vaccines, noting the lack of substantiating evidence and prior scientific conclusions.

Furthermore, the ex-leaders argued that the proposed changes risk rejecting established science on vaccine evaluation and updates, potentially slowing innovation and reducing public transparency. Their statements underscore a significant internal disagreement about the future direction of vaccine policy within a critical public health agency.