Khaberni - The "New York Times" reported on Friday that the US Food and Drug Administration stated in an internal memo that at least 10 children have likely died "because of" COVID-19 vaccines, and indicated myocarditis as a possible cause.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the FDA, has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment on the report.
This comes at a time when Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Junior has drastically changed the government's policy on COVID-19 vaccines, making them available only to people aged 65 and over, in addition to individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Kennedy has been a strong opponent of vaccines for a long time before he took up the highest health post in the country under President Donald Trump. He also linked vaccines to autism and sought to overhaul the country's vaccination policies.
According to the "New York Times," the memo written by the FDA's chief medical and scientific officer, Vinay Prasad, did not reveal the ages of the children, their health conditions, or the vaccine manufacturing companies involved.
Prasad was quoted as saying that these findings are a "profound revelation" and announced plans to tighten vaccine monitoring, including requiring randomized studies for all groups.
The newspaper mentioned that the CDC's Vaccine Committee will meet within days.
Prasad is an oncologist and was one of the most vocal critics of mandating COVID vaccines and mask mandates in the United States.
He resumed his position as the FDA's chief medical and scientific officer in September. He advises the commissioner
and senior officials on emerging medical and scientific issues that affect regulatory science and public health.
