Mun-Keat Looi , 2025-05-20 08:11:00
Kennedy doubles down on cuts and vaccine comments
Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Ttestifying before a US Senate committee, defended the Trump administration’s proposal to slash more than $30bn (£21bn; €27bn) from health programmes. Kennedy doubled down on discredited claims about vaccine safety—including that the measles vaccine was untested for safety and contained “aborted fetal debris,” despite corrections from the panel’s chair, Senator Bill Cassidy.1 “I am not just going to tell people everything is safe and effective if I know there’s issues,” he told the committee. Kennedy said that his opinions about vaccines are “irrelevant” and that “people shouldn’t take medical advice from me.”2
FDA hints at new covid vaccine trial requirements, approves Novavax
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Marty Makary has suggested that the agency will announce new guidelines for covid-19 vaccine makers with stricter regulatory expectations, including potential new trials.3 The initiative, led by Vinay Prasad, the new FDA lead on vaccines, aims to clarify vaccine approval processes. Makary said that Prasad was meeting with industry and FDA staff and plans to “unleash a massive framework” for regulation.
Makary had previously urged Novavax to conduct a new trial in order for its covid-19 vaccine to earn full licensure, despite already being available under emergency use authorisation.4 On 16 May, however, the FDA approved the vaccine—albeit for use under strict conditions. Novavax’s license limits use to people aged 65 and older and those aged 12-64 with at least one medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness.5
CDC vaccine advisory panel recommendations in limbo
Kennedy has approved three of …
