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Ex-FDA Chiefs Slam Agency's Vaccine Safety Doubts
4 Dec, 2025
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.
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.
