CDC Vaccine Panel Presentation Distorts Research on Safety of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

A presentation by scientists to a work group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel highlighted various alleged “safety uncertainties” of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including concerns about cancer and changes to the immune system. Scientists, however, told us that many of the cited studies are either misconstrued or of poor quality.

As with all medical products, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% safe. But the vast majority of people experience only temporary and mild side effects, which are expected. Serious side effects are rare.

In its Sept. 19 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ultimately voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccines for all ages 6 months and up, as long as the decision is discussed with a health care provider. The group, however, nearly voted to require everyone to get a prescription for the shots and also endorsed unfounded or misleading claims about the risks of the vaccines. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously led an anti-vaccine organization, replaced the panel in an unprecedented move and installed new members, many of whom either lack expertise in vaccines or have spread inaccurate information about vaccines.

Trump Officials Cite Dubious Estimates of Medication Abortion Harms

As justification for a Food and Drug Administration review of a drug used in medication abortion, two Trump administration health officials have referenced an April report from an anti-abortion group that claims to show a far higher rate of serious side effects from the drug than has been found previously. However, the report, which is not peer-reviewed research, didn’t disclose where it got its data and has substantial methodological issues, reproductive health experts say.

The drug in question, mifepristone, is used alongside misoprostol for medication abortion and is FDA-approved for terminating pregnancies through 10 weeks of gestation. As we have written before, serious side effects from medication abortion are rare.

Medication abortions make up most abortions in the U.S. — 63% of them in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have repeatedly promised an FDA review of mifepristone. In a May 14 Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee hearing, Kennedy called the April report “alarming” and said that it “indicates that at very least the label should be changed” for the drug. Kennedy and Makary reiterated the promise of a review in a Sept. 19 letter, again citing the April report as reason for concern about the drug’s safety.