New internal review emerges amid dramatic shifts in US health policy under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

An internal US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) memo has linked at least 10 child deaths “because of” COVID-19 vaccinations, citing myocarditis heart inflammation as a likely factor.

The revelation, though not yet peer-reviewed, has shaken the health policy landscape, especially as the Biden–Trump transition government already faces criticism for sweeping changes in vaccine policy.

The memo comes at a tense moment in American public health, with experts divided and political leaders accelerating adjustments that could reshape vaccine access nationwide.

FDA REVIEW FLAGS POSSIBLE PEDIATRIC FATALITIES

According to the NYT report, the memo was authored by Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s chief medical and scientific officer, a controversial figure who has long criticized federal vaccine mandates.

The memo reportedly:

• Identifies 10 likely vaccine-linked child deaths
• Describes the findings as “a profound revelation”
• Calls for stricter oversight and randomized trials for all subgroups
• Does not disclose ages, medical histories, or manufacturers involved

Reuters reported that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The FDA review has not been published in any medical journal, nor independently verified by outside experts.

The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee is expected to hold an emergency meeting next week.

KENNEDY LIMITS COVID VACCINES TO SENIORS AND HIGH-RISK GROUPS

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already taken drastic action, restricting COVID vaccines to:

• People aged 65 and older
• People with medically documented underlying conditions

Kennedy — previously one of the most influential anti-vaccine voices in the US — said the internal memo “underscores the need for a full reassessment of national immunization policy.”

His appointment as health secretary by President Trump earlier this year was met with fierce criticism from:

• Medical experts
• Pharmaceutical regulators
• Mainstream public health bodies

Kennedy has historically linked vaccines to autism and pushed for “vaccine choice”  positions rejected by the scientific community.

A SHARP REVERSAL OF PANDEMIC-ERA POLICY

During:

• Trump’s first term (2020–2021) and
• Joe Biden’s administration (2021–2025)

US health officials aggressively promoted COVID vaccines as lifesaving tools that prevented millions of hospitalizations.

The new memo threatens to reopen old debates, fuel skepticism, and complicate future immunization campaigns especially in a highly polarized political environment.

Medical experts warn that:

• Causation cannot be concluded from early internal reports
• Myocarditis risk remains extremely low
• Rubber-band policy shifts erode public trust

Public health advocates say the sudden reverse in vaccine availability has created confusion for immunocompromised Americans and parents still seeking pediatric vaccinations.

VINAY PRASAD: CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE RETURNS TO POWER

Dr. Vinay Prasad, an oncologist who previously denounced mask mandates and the CDC’s early vaccine policies, returned to his senior FDA role in September.

His reappointment was interpreted as:

• A concession to political pressure
• A move aligning federal health agencies with the new administration’s skepticism
• A symbolic break from earlier public-health orthodoxy

Prasad is now advising the FDA commissioner on “emerging medical and scientific issues,” giving him substantial influence over regulatory decisions.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US PUBLIC HEALTH AND GLOBAL VACCINE TRUST

1. A Turning Point for Vaccine Governance

The memo signals an unprecedented willingness by US health institutions to revisit earlier vaccine decisions, a move many scientists say should occur with caution, not haste.

If data is validated, it could reshape:

• Pediatric vaccination policy
• Long-term monitoring requirements
• Immunization trial design

But without peer review, experts emphasize that no firm conclusions can yet be drawn.

2. Political Influence Overshadowing Science?

The rapid policy shift by Secretary Kennedy raises concerns about politicization of health data.

Key red flags:

• Policy changed before independent scientific validation
• A known vaccine critic is now shaping national policy
• Agencies appear reactive rather than evidence-driven

This dynamic could undermine long-term trust in health institutions.

3. Public Trust at Its Most Fragile Point

After years of intense vaccine misinformation battles, the memo risks:

• Re-igniting public fear
• Fueling conspiracy theories
• Weakening future vaccination campaigns (measles, polio, RSV, etc.)

The world is watching closely:
If the US signals doubt about vaccine safety, global uptake could suffer.

4. Lack of Transparency Could Backfire

The memo does not reveal:

• The children’s ages
• Medical conditions
• Which vaccines were administered
• Timing of doses
• Autopsy findings
• Manufacturer information

Experts argue that partial data only fuels confusion, and emphasize the need for:

• Transparent reporting
• Scientific scrutiny
• Publicly accessible evidence