Three vaccine safety studies used by RFK Jr face retraction and investigation
11 reported3 unconfirmed
Three scientific papers that raised questions about vaccine safety and were cited by the Trump administration to justify changes to US vaccine policy have been removed, retracted, or placed under investigation by their journals over the last two months. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr relied on two of the studies for a 2023 book he co-wrote arguing unvaccinated children were healthier. The CDC cited one paper when it changed its long-held position that vaccines do not cause autism. Scientists who criticized the papers said the actions were a positive step as vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles rise. The papers shared a theme that vaccinated children had greater health risks, but have been criticized for poor methodologies. Some of the researchers involved said they disagree with the journals’ decisions.
What’s reported
Three papers were removed, retracted, or placed under investigation over the last two months.
RFK Jr used two of the studies for his 2023 book Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak.
The CDC cited one paper when it changed its stance on vaccines and autism.
One paper by Neil Z Miller (2021, Toxicology Reports) suggested a link between vaccines and SIDS.
A second paper by Miller and Brian S Hooker (2020, Sage Open Medicine) suggested vaccinated children had higher rates of health problems.
A third paper by Carolyn M Gallagher and Melody S Goodman (2010, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health) found boys vaccinated for Hepatitis B in first four weeks were more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
Sage Open Medicine attached an expression of concern to the 2020 paper on 18 May, saying it is under investigation.
The 2010 paper was retracted on 21 May after an independent statistical reviewer found fundamental methodological flaws.
The journal Toxicology Reports removed Miller’s 2021 paper; details of removal not specified in article.
Aaron Siri, Kennedy’s former lawyer, cited all three papers in a December presentation to a federal vaccine advisory committee.
The book noted five medical journals rejected the 2020 paper before Sage considered it.
Open questions
Why the journals did not act until years after scientists raised concerns.
Whether the CDC will update its page after the retraction.
Whether Kennedy will update his book.
Key figures
Robert F Kennedy Jr, US health secretary
Neil Z Miller, researcher
Brian S Hooker, researcher
Carolyn M Gallagher, researcher
Melody S Goodman, dean at NYU School of Global Public Health
Aaron Siri, lawyer
Dr Karina Top, professor of pediatrics at University of Alberta
Morgan McSweeney, scientist known as Dr.Noc
Magdalen Wind-Mozley, forensic scientist with Oxford Vaccine Group
Sources: The Guardian
