RFK Jr.’s lawyer and prime ally requested FDA to revoke approval of polio vaccine

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s private legal professional beforehand lobbied the Meals and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, highlighting an influential Kennedy ally who, sources inform ABC Information, has been serving to interview candidates for prime well being jobs within the incoming Trump administration.

The matter might be one thing RFK Jr. will get questioned about when he goes to Capitol Hill subsequent week to satisfy with senators contemplating whether or not to substantiate him as well being and human companies secretary..

Aaron Siri, a associate on the legislation agency Siri & Glimstad, has lengthy fought towards the prevalence of vaccines. He has additionally filed petitions looking for to pause the distribution of different vaccines, together with Hepatitis B, and to revoke the emergency-use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines.

The 2022 polio petition was made on behalf of considered one of Siri’s purchasers, the Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community (ICAN), a bunch based by Del Bigtree, one other shut Kennedy ally additionally concerned in health-related transition issues, based on sources.

“Petitioner requests that the FDA withdraw or droop the approval for [the polio vaccine] for infants, toddlers, and youngsters till a correctly managed and correctly powered double-blind trial of ample length is performed to evaluate the protection of this product,” Siri wrote.

The New York Occasions reported on the petition earlier Friday.

When requested for remark, Siri referenced posts he made on the social website X, the place he reiterated his perception that the FDA ignored security considerations with the vaccine. It’s an allegation strongly refuted by medical consultants who say the advantages far outweigh the chance of contracting a illness that may trigger paralysis.

Kennedy, in the meantime, didn’t reply to written questions on whether or not he agrees with revoking approval of the polio vaccine, or if, as well being and human companies secretary, he would intervene in an FDA evaluation of Siri’s petitions.

The polio vaccine out there in the USA is really useful for kids and three doses supply a minimum of 99% safety towards extreme illness, together with paralysis, based on the CDC. Unwanted effects are often gentle and go away on their very own, the company notes, and the vaccine has not been recognized to trigger severe issues.

Because the late Nineteen Eighties, international polio circumstances have decreased by greater than 99% alongside elevated vaccination efforts to eradicate the illness, from an estimated 350,000 circumstances to simply six reported in 2021, based on the World Well being Group. The efforts have allowed an estimated 20 million folks to stroll as we speak who would have in any other case been paralyzed and saved greater than 1.5 million lives, based on the CDC.

The polio vaccine has been part of routine childhood schedule for many years, and federal well being officers make the most of a number of methods to observe for vaccine security. Polio could cause lifelong paralysis and as much as 10% of youngsters who’ve paralysis from polio die, because the virus impacts the muscle tissue that permit them to breathe, the CDC notes.

Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, mentioned in an announcement offered to reporters that any efforts to undermine public confidence in confirmed cures is just not solely uninformed, but additionally harmful.

“Like thousands and thousands of households earlier than them, my mother and father knew the ache and concern of watching their youngster battle with the life-altering prognosis of polio,” he mentioned. “From the age of two, regular life with out paralysis was solely attainable for me due to the miraculous mixture of recent drugs and a mom’s love. However for thousands and thousands who got here after me, the true miracle was the saving energy of the polio vaccine.

McConnell added that efforts to undermine confidence within the vaccine are harmful and urged Kennedy ought to make it clear he doesn’t agree with Siri’s views if he needs to be confirmed as well being secretary.

“Anybody looking for the Senate’s consent to serve within the incoming Administration would do nicely to avoid even the looks of affiliation with such efforts,” McConnell mentioned.

Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer referred to as on RFK Jr. to “state his place” on the matter.

“This could undoubtedly make America sick once more. It is outrageous and harmful for folks within the Trump Transition to attempt to do away with the polio vaccine that has just about eradicated polio in America and saved thousands and thousands of lives. RFK Jr. should state his place on this,” Schumer mentioned in an internet submit.

ABC Information’ Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.