Kennedy’s lawyer has asked the FDA to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine.
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed strong support for the polio vaccine, calling it the greatest thing. However, Aaron Siri, a lawyer closely connected to Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke the approval of the polio vaccine used in the United States.
Siri, who filed the petition in 2022 on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), has been an active advocate for questioning vaccine safety and mandates. ICAN, a nonprofit organization, has often challenged established vaccine practices. Siri has also worked as Kennedy’s personal lawyer during his presidential campaign and is now assisting in selecting officials for Trump’s incoming administration.
The FDA confirmed it is reviewing the petition but provided no timeline for a decision. “We cannot predict when the reviews will be completed,” an FDA spokesperson told CNN. “The FDA will consider the concerns outlined in the petition as a final decision is made. The FDA will respond directly to the petitioner, and that response will be posted on the docket. Until such time, we cannot comment further.
If Kennedy is confirmed as HHS Secretary, he will oversee the FDA and could intervene in its decision-making process. Kennedy, a vocal vaccine skeptic, stated in a recent interview with NBC News that he didn’t intend to take vaccines away from people but emphasized the importance of informed choice. People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information, he said.
Trump’s stance on vaccines has been somewhat contradictory. While he has championed the polio vaccine, he has also signaled openness to reconsidering other vaccines. In an interview with Time magazine conducted in November, Trump suggested that more research would be conducted and that he might support eliminating certain vaccines for children if they are deemed dangerous or not beneficial.
Nevertheless, Trump’s admiration for the polio vaccine remains clear. The polio vaccine is the greatest thing, Trump said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday. If somebody told me to get rid of the polio vaccine, they’re going to have to work really hard to convince me.
The petition and Kennedy’s association with Siri have sparked widespread attention, with critics questioning the direction of vaccine policy under the new administration. While the FDA’s review of the petition continues, Kennedy’s potential leadership at HHS has raised concerns about how these developments could affect public health and childhood immunization rates.
The story of the petition and Kennedy’s involvement was first reported by The New York Times, highlighting the growing debate over vaccine policy as Trump prepares to take office.
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