Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: A Controversial Force in Health Care.
In the realm of health care, novel developments are taking place. Key decisions are being made by controversial figure, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leading a deviation from the path of empirical science and medicine. His policies are now directing the course of the national health care system, driven by misplaced fears accumulated over his lifetime about the safety of vaccines.
His unfounded argument that vaccines can lead to physical deformities or disabilities is devoid of truth or substance. These beliefs, though lacking evidence, seem deeply ingrained in his psyche, possibly resulting from personal insecurities established in childhood – like always being the last chosen for a kickball team.
Unsettling news from the capital, as reported by The Washington Post, suggests that some officials in the Trump administration are attempting to correlate the COVID vaccine with the unfortunate deaths of 25 children over recent years.
Their assertion seems to rely heavily on data harvested from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This online database allows anyone – be it a patient, doctor, pharmacist, or a person privy to second-hand information on social media – to post their vaccine experiences, adverse or otherwise. However, it is important to note that the information stored in VAERS is not subject to any verification process.
The VAERS system, as managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to accumulate data on the aftermath of vaccination. This helps researchers identify any potential patterns worth investigating. While VAERS can serve as a valuable resource, it is just one of many tools at a researcher’s disposal when examining the impacts of vaccines on the human body.
Despite the potential validity of the system, the reports in VAERS are wholly reliant on the veracity of the informant. As such, the honor system operates here and it is assumed that users are providing true and accurate accounts.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is the body responsible for issuing guidance on vaccines. The influence of ACIP stretches far and wide, impacting medical insurance policies and even regulating which vaccines can be given by pharmacists at your local pharmacy. Given this board’s high stake, their comprehension of medical and scientific knowledge is undeniably crucial.
A concerning development is that this group, currently navigating through the complexities of medical regulations, seem to be easily swayed by thin and shaky evidence. Alarmingly, they seem ready to snatch at even the flimsiest of straws to propel their vaccine-averse agenda.
A noteworthy engagement that has come to light is the CDC’s intention to bestow a contract for autism research on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This research aims to investigate any potential correlations between vaccines and the incidence of autism.
Intriguingly, this contract is a no-bid type, a peculiar choice considering the nature of the research at hand. As reported by Associated Press, the institute might not be the obvious choice for conducting such intensive and specific research.
This choice of contractor has unsettled many in the research community, predominantly due to the fact that the purported link between vaccines and autism has been rigorously studied for years. Time and time again research has proven the lack of connection between the two.