Vaccines have saved millions of lives by preventing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases like measles, polio, influenza, and COVID-19. For over a century, vaccines have been one of the most powerful tools in public health. This is why The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is deeply concerned about recent proposals from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to change how vaccines are tested and approved (1).
Mr. Kennedy has suggested two significant changes. First, he wants all new vaccines to go through placebo-controlled trials. Second, he seeks to stop using mRNA technology in future vaccines. While we support transparency and high safety standards, Mr. Kennedy's proposals ignore current science and would delay access to safe, effective vaccines. Delaying access is particularly problematic for vaccines against viruses like influenza and COVID-19 that develop new variants quickly.
In reality, most vaccines are tested in placebo-controlled trials when first developed. However, once a vaccine is proven to work, giving a placebo (a shot with no medicine) to people in new trials is often unethical. Doctors cannot ask people to go unprotected against serious diseases. Instead, scientists typically test new or updated vaccines against existing ones, a standard, ethical, and effective practice. They choose vaccine technologies according to the characteristics of the disease in question, the type of immune response needed, and safety data in humans. No technology should be forbidden based on arbitrary judgments. The choice of technology should be made on the basis of evidence.
The data on mRNA vaccines are clear. These vaccines were carefully tested on tens of thousands of people before they were approved. They helped reduce hospitalizations and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems. Calling them unsafe or ineffective is simply not true.
mRNA vaccines are also flexible. Scientists can update them quickly to match new virus strains, such as the flu or COVID-19. This benefit helps keep people protected as viruses change.
We share the goal of ensuring the safety of all vaccines. However, changing the rules will slow down vaccine development, and blocking newer technology will put lives at risk. We should not reject science-backed tools that are working, nor add hurdles that offer no real benefit.
Developing and testing a vaccine is costly. Unnecessary major changes in what safe technologies are allowed and the requirements for vaccine approval may discourage pharmaceutical companies from developing vaccines.
The College urges public leaders to follow the facts and listen to experts. Our communities need science-based policies that protect health, especially as we face new outbreaks. We stand behind licensed vaccines' safety, effectiveness, and importance, regardless of the technology used to develop them.
(1) "Kennedy Issues Demands for Vaccine Approvals That Could Affect Fall Covid Boosters"