New York: Officials at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have halted the publication of several studies that supported the safety of widely used vaccines for COVID-19 and shingles, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the department, said the studies were withdrawn due to concerns that their conclusions were not adequately supported by the underlying data. Nixon noted that the FDA took this step to maintain the integrity of its scientific review process and ensure all associated research meets strict standards.
The move is part of broader actions by health authorities and the administration to tighten oversight on vaccine-related research and access. These developments come amid policy shifts under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been openly critical of vaccines.
During the administration of Donald Trump, funding for vaccine research has been significantly reduced, alongside increased scrutiny of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Under Kennedy’s leadership, federal health agencies have undergone wide-ranging changes.
In August last year, the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to phase out nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine development funding, cancelling 22 federal projects managed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
Earlier, in June, a panel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported a decision to remove thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from flu vaccines, despite longstanding evidence supporting its safety.
Among the companies involved in vaccine production, GSK produces Shingrix, a vaccine used to prevent shingles, while Pfizer and Moderna remain leading manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines.
As debates around vaccine safety, effectiveness, and accessibility continue, these decisions are likely to shape future research, public trust, and the broader direction of vaccine development and public health strategy.
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