FDA Official Raises Concerns Over COVID Vaccine and Child Deaths

A recent internal memo from the FDA has ignited debate about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The memo, authored by Dr. Vinay Prasad, suggests a possible link between the vaccine and the deaths of at least 10 children. However, the memo lacks critical details, such as the ages of the children and their medical histories, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

Key Points from the Memo

• Possible Link to Myocarditis: Prasad highlights a potential connection between the vaccine and myocarditis, a rare heart inflammation observed in some individuals post-vaccination.
• Stricter Oversight Proposed: Prasad plans to propose new reviews and stricter oversight for vaccines, though these changes would require federal approval.

Critics Weigh In

• Lack of Context: Critics argue that the memo lacks essential context. Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatric vaccine expert, notes that children treated for vaccine-related myocarditis at his hospital typically recovered quickly.
• Severe Myocarditis from COVID: Offit also points out that myocarditis caused by the COVID virus itself can be severe and require intensive care.

Timing and Political Undertones

• Controversial Timing: The memo's release just before a major CDC vaccine meeting has raised eyebrows. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease specialist, calls it an "irresponsible" way to handle a critical public health issue.
• Criticism of Past Mandates: Prasad's memo criticizes past vaccination mandates, stating that they "coerced" people into receiving COVID shots.

Potential Impact

• Increased Costs and Mistrust: If adopted, Prasad's recommendations could make vaccine development more costly and potentially fuel mistrust in vaccines. This is concerning given the rise of measles, whooping cough, and other illnesses worldwide.
• Debatable Attributions: Dr. Peter Marks, Prasad's predecessor, describes the memo's tone as unusually political and emphasizes the need for a careful review of the reported cases. He suggests that the attributions may be debatable due to the complexity of the cases.