The New York Times revealed that RFK Jr.’s lawyer pushed for a ban on the polio vaccine

The future of vaccination in the United States appears to be in more danger than ever. Robert Kennedy Jr., nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has continued to suggest that he and others in his camp, including his personal lawyer Aaron Serry, may try to remove some vaccines from the market.

New York Times on Friday published An extensive article detailing Seery’s legal history defending RFK and the anti-vax movement in general. One of the most important tidbits is that Siri petitioned the government (specifically the FDA) to revoke approval of the polio vaccine just two years ago, and that Siri was personally advising RFK on potential positions to fill within the Department of Health and Human Services. While Robert Kennedy’s nomination is not certain to succeed, these developments are the latest to suggest that vaccines could be on the chopping block if Trump gets his man.

According to the Times, Siri has also petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to pull the hepatitis B vaccine from the market and temporarily halt distribution of 13 other vaccines. These petitions were submitted on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network, a non-profit organization Defend the anti-vaccination movement (The group claims to be advocating for “medical freedom.”) Since it emerged in 2016. It has been represented by Siri Other clients Who tried to tear down regulations or laws related to vaccines as well.

Often, Siri claimed that these vaccines were approved with little evidence of their safety and effectiveness. In the case of the polio and hepatitis B vaccines, he said they should be removed so they can be tested in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. While this type of research is considered the gold standard of evidence, the safety of these and other vaccines has been consistently supported by many different studies over the years. Experts have noted that testing the polio vaccine against a placebo would significantly harm people, given the known risks of such infections, which could include fatal or lifelong paralysis.

Paul A. said: “You’re trading a theoretical risk for a real risk,” Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told the Times. “The real risks are diseases.”

While Siri’s arguments may have been made on behalf of his clients, he also provides personal advice to RFK on potential job candidates for HHS staff should RFK’s nomination pass, the Times reported. Both RFK and Siri have reportedly grilled the candidates on their views on vaccines as well. RFK has apparently floated the idea of ​​having Siri serve as general counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services, although Siri may prefer to have an outside role instead.

Some Republican members of Congress have done so Averted He fully supports Robert Kennedy and his views, while Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence does so He urged his colleagues Not confirming RFK (albeit only because he might be too pro-choice). So there is still at least a chance that Robert Kennedy will not become the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services. But at this point, it’s anyone’s guess whether there will be enough defectors. If Robert Kennedy is given broad latitude to shape the nation’s public health, missing out on some vaccines remains a real possibility.

In an interview with Time magazine Released This week (Trump was named the magazine’s Person of the Year), Trump was noncommittal on the vaccination issue. He stated that he would have a “big discussion” about vaccines with RFK. When asked frankly whether his future plans could include getting rid of certain vaccines at Robert Kennedy’s request, he replied: “It could be if I think it’s dangerous, if I think it’s not useful, but I don’t think it will be.” Very controversial in the end.”