Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised to follow established rules for vaccine approvals as he leads the country’s top health agencies, but his administration is already introducing sweeping changes that may slow or complicate access to future vaccines.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary says the agency is preparing a major overhaul of how vaccines are tested and approved, led by new vaccine chief Dr. Vinay Prasad, who has been critical of how COVID-19 boosters were handled. Though details haven’t been made public, the new direction has already delayed full approval of Novavax’s COVID shot and led to unexpected restrictions on its use.
The FDA now argues that even small updates to match new variants could require fresh testing, a stance that could impact this fall’s booster rollout. Other health agencies are also shifting. The CDC has yet to act on recent recommendations for new meningitis and RSV shots, and Kennedy allies have signaled a likely end to COVID booster guidance for children.
Critics say the moves reflect Kennedy’s long-standing skepticism toward vaccines. At a Senate hearing, he wrongly claimed only COVID vaccines were tested against placebos—prompting Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy to correct the record. Public health experts warn the administration’s approach may fuel misinformation and delay vaccine availability.
Behind the scenes, FDA scientists say political appointees overruled their recommendation to approve the Novavax shot last month. The final approval came only after added restrictions and a demand for new trials—steps some called unprecedented. Meanwhile, Moderna has postponed its new COVID-flu combo vaccine after regulators requested more data.
As the FDA prepares to meet Thursday to decide on updated COVID shots for the coming season, uncertainty remains over how the new rules will affect vaccine access and public trust.
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Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Tokyo represents more than a strengthening of bilateral relations; it is a strategic step that broadens the economic and diplomatic horizons of the region.
The foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand have told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that they are willing to pursue a ceasefire, as tensions flared along parts of the two countries’ shared border.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s first official visit to Japan marks a notable moment in relations between the two countries, reflecting a shared interest in deepening cooperation.
The United States has suspended the Diversity Visa Lottery programme, commonly known as the Green Card lottery, after a deadly shooting at Brown University.
Ukraine has welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in support over the next two years, calling it a vital lifeline even as the bloc failed to reach agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance the aid.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Petroleum products are being transported by rail from Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in decades. The move is hailed as a tangible breakthrough in efforts to normalise relations between the long-time rivals.
A rare pair of bright-green Nike “Grinch” sneakers worn and signed by the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant have gone on public display in Beverly Hills, ahead of an auction that could set a new record for sports memorabilia.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
U.S. intelligence sources indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin still intends to take control of all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that once belonged to the Soviet Union. These assessments contradict Putin’s repeated claims that he poses no threat to Europe.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand have told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that they are willing to pursue a ceasefire, as tensions flared along parts of the two countries’ shared border.
The Conservative Party says it would cut funding for green energy projects and redirect the money into defence, arguing the UK needs to be ready for war.
The European Union is facing mounting political pressure over its ability to keep Russian sovereign assets frozen, as internal divisions, leadership changes and war fatigue reshape decision-making across the bloc.
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