Overview
- The memo by vaccine division chief Vinay Prasad, reported by multiple outlets, says at least 10 children died after and because of COVID vaccination, though no ages, health details or vaccine brands were disclosed.
- Reviewers assessed 96 VAERS death reports from 2021–2024 and classified ten cases with likely, probable or possible attribution, but the underlying data and methods have not been released or peer reviewed.
- Prasad outlined plans to tighten vaccine approvals, including randomized trials for more subgroups, stricter criteria for use in pregnancy, a reassessment of the annual flu-shot framework, and a review of giving multiple vaccines at the same visit.
- FDA Commissioner Marty Makary acknowledged on television that there appear to be 10 pediatric deaths linked to COVID shots, while outside experts urged formal publication and case-level transparency before policy changes.
- The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, recently reconstituted under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is scheduled to meet next week and could take up related vaccine-schedule issues.