December 15th 2024.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who himself battled polio as a child, has made it clear that any nominee chosen by President-elect Donald Trump and seeking confirmation from the Senate should not be involved in any efforts to discredit the polio vaccine.
In a statement released on Friday, McConnell expressed his concern about any attempts to undermine the public's trust in proven cures, calling them not only uninformed but also dangerous. He urged all potential members of the incoming administration to steer clear of any association with such efforts, even if it's just the appearance of it.
Some believe that McConnell's words were directed towards Trump's pick for Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after a report surfaced that one of Kennedy's advisers had filed a petition to revoke the approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. This vaccine, which is widely credited with halting the disease in most parts of the world, is considered a crucial tool in the fight against polio.
McConnell's statement serves as a warning to Kennedy, who has long been known for promoting the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. This has raised concerns about his potential confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate.
In response to questions about the petition, Katie Miller, the spokesperson for Kennedy's transition team, stated that Kennedy believes the polio vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly studied. The New York Times reported that the petition was filed by a lawyer who is now assisting Kennedy in selecting candidates for federal health positions in the upcoming administration.
It's worth noting that anyone can file a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which receives hundreds of requests relating to various food, drug, and medical issues. While most petitions are denied, the FDA is required to respond to each one in writing.
Vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective through laboratory testing and real-world use in millions of people over several decades. They are widely considered one of the most effective public health measures in history. McConnell himself contracted polio at the age of 2 but was able to survive thanks to modern medicine and the love of his mother. He acknowledged the saving power of the polio vaccine, which has saved millions of lives.
In response to the news, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on X that it's outrageous and dangerous for anyone in the Trump Transition team to even consider getting rid of the polio vaccine, which has virtually eradicated the disease in America and saved countless lives. He called on Kennedy to clarify his position on the matter.
Trump had announced last month that he had chosen Kennedy as his Health Secretary, stating that Kennedy would work to protect Americans from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives. However, this pick was met with concern from scientists and public health officials, who fear that Kennedy would undermine lifesaving public health initiatives, such as vaccines.
Kennedy has a history of promoting conspiracy theories about vaccines, including the idea that COVID-19 may have been intentionally targeted to spare certain ethnic groups. He has also repeatedly brought up the Holocaust when discussing vaccines and public health mandates.
If confirmed, Kennedy has made it clear that he plans to make significant changes to the Department of Health and Human Services, which has a massive budget of $1.3 trillion. He has also expressed concerns about the FDA's relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and has called for the agency to stop using COVID-19 vaccines.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy's nonprofit organization, Children's Health Defense, filed a petition with the FDA to halt the use of all COVID vaccines. The organization has accused the FDA of being influenced by "big pharma" because a significant portion of its budget comes from industry fees, and some former employees have gone on to work for drug companies.
Currently, Children's Health Defense has a pending lawsuit against various news organizations, including The Associated Press, for taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and vaccines. While Kennedy has taken a leave of absence from the organization to run for president, he is still listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.
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