Former F.D.A. Commissioners Sound Alarm on Plan to Change Vaccine Policy

Former FDA commissioners have expressed deep concern over a leaked memo from the Trump administration's chief scientific officer that suggests changing vaccine approval policies. The 12 former commissioners, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, stated they were "deeply concerned" by the proposed changes, which they believe could undermine public trust in the vaccine approval process. The leaked memo indicates the administration is considering lowering the standards for emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines, potentially approving them before phase 3 clinical trials are complete. The former officials argue this could erode confidence in the scientific integrity of the process and discourage vaccine uptake. They emphasize the importance of maintaining rigorous, transparent vaccine approval standards to ensure public safety and trust. The former commissioners urge the administration to uphold the FDA's established procedures and maintain its independence from political influence.