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NewsThe GuardianMay 5, 2026United States

HHS Official Says FDA Blocked Publication of Vaccine Safety Studies

A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson confirmed that the FDA blocked the publication of several taxpayer-funded studies that concluded Covid-19 and shingles vaccines were safe. The agency stated the studies were withdrawn due to methodological concerns, while critics argue the move reflects a pattern of suppressing data that supports vaccine safety.

FDAHHSvaccine safetypublic healthscientific researchgovernment transparency
Read the full story at The Guardian

Why It Matters

The decision impacts public access to government-funded scientific research regarding the safety profiles of Covid-19 and shingles vaccines, potentially influencing public health policy and individual medical decisions.

Key Facts

  • The FDA blocked the publication of multiple taxpayer-funded studies finding Covid-19 and shingles vaccines to be safe.
  • One study analyzed medical records of 7.5 million Medicare beneficiaries over age 65, finding no statistically significant risks other than rare cases of anaphylaxis.
  • A second study analyzed 4.2 million people aged six months to 64 years, finding rare cases of fever-related seizures and myocarditis.
  • HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated studies were withdrawn because authors drew conclusions not supported by underlying data.
  • Two studies on the shingles vaccine Shingrix were not submitted to a drug safety conference because agency officials did not sign off in time.
  • The decision to halt the publications did not reach FDA Commissioner Marty Makary or HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • The studies were conducted by agency scientists using millions of patient records.
  • The studies were funded by taxpayer money and cost several million dollars.

Who's Mentioned

personAngela Rasmussen“Editor in chief of the journal Vaccine; confirmed one paper was withdrawn by its”personMarty Makary“FDA Commissioner; reported to have not been involved in the specific decision to”personJanet Woodcock“Former FDA principal deputy commissioner who criticized the agency's handling of”personRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“HHS Secretary; noted as having limited vaccine funding and accessibility.”organizationFood and Drug Administration“The federal agency responsible for regulating vaccines and overseeing the studie”organizationDepartment of Health and Human Services“The parent department of the FDA; provided official statements regarding the stu”personAndrew Nixon“HHS spokesperson who confirmed the withdrawals and provided the agency's rationa”personDorit Reiss“Law professor at UC Law San Francisco who commented on the implications of the w”