Story perspectives

Health Secretary Orders Vaccine Safety Review Amid White House Pressure

5/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is directing a vaccine-safety review despite White House pressure to stay silent.
He ordered scientists and contractors to study if vaccines cause chronic diseases, while White House urged him to limit comments to protect Republican candidates in the November midterms.
Biostatistician Martin Kulldorff leads the study, while scholars warn it could erode confidence in vaccines World Health Organization says have saved 154 million lives.

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Story summary

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is directing a vaccine-safety review despite White House pressure to stay silent.
He ordered scientists and contractors to study if vaccines cause chronic diseases, while White House urged him to limit comments to protect Republican candidates in the November midterms.
Biostatistician Martin Kulldorff leads the study, while scholars warn it could erode confidence in vaccines World Health Organization says have saved 154 million lives.