FDA Reviews COVID Vaccine Death Reports Amid Public Skepticism

The Food and Drug Administration, under pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is reviewing reports of injuries, deaths, and birth defects potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines, including rare cases involving children and pregnant women, ahead of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel meeting. This move, viewed by many public health experts as politically motivated, comes amid growing public skepticism about vaccine safety, with a Rasmussen survey showing 56% of likely U.S. voters now believe COVID-19 vaccine side effects have caused significant unexplained deaths. Support for RFK Jr. remains strong among Republicans and independents, with many calling for accountability and firings within the CDC. Meanwhile, local health officials in North Texas report that flu has become a more significant threat than COVID-19, with flu-related hospitalizations and deaths outpacing those from COVID, emphasizing the importance of vaccination despite rising vaccine hesitancy. The FDA has authorized updated COVID vaccines with restricted use, prompting backlash and resignations from senior CDC officials who cite political interference in scientific work. Health experts continue to urge vaccination to combat both flu and COVID, warning against public complacency amid shifting perceptions and policy changes.