Scientists reject call to retest childhood vaccines

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Source: Science Magazine

Original: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aef4614?af=R...

Published: 2026-01-15T07:00:10Z

The Trump administration is proposing retesting of some approved childhood hepatitis A, influenza, and meningococcal vaccines, citing insufficient safety or efficacy evidence[1]. However, scientists reject these claims as inaccurate and point out that these vaccines have been approved using strict, globally accepted standards[1]. According to experts, new placebo-controlled trials would be unethical because they would expose participants to preventable diseases[1]. The National Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advise parents to rely on long-term, evidence-based recommendations because the science of vaccine safety and effectiveness has not changed[2][3]. Pediatricians report increased parental skepticism and vaccine refusal due to changes in federal guidelines[3]. Doctors who have many years of experience have never hospitalized a child for vaccinations, but have hospitalized hundreds of children with complications from diseases that vaccines protect[3].