Post by : Saif Nasser
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no plans to place its strongest safety warning, known as a “black box” warning, on COVID-19 vaccines, according to a report by Bloomberg News. This decision comes after internal discussions within the agency and growing public debate about vaccine safety.
A black box warning is the most serious caution the FDA can place on a medicine or vaccine. It is usually used when there is strong evidence of life-threatening risks. According to Bloomberg News, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said that while some officials suggested adding this warning to COVID-19 vaccines, top leaders at the agency decided it was not necessary at this time.
Makary said that giving two vaccine doses just three months apart had been linked to higher rates of side effects, including heart inflammation, also known as myocarditis, especially in young people. However, he added that this risk may not be the same when vaccines are given once a year, as is now common practice.
The issue gained attention after reports last week suggested that the FDA was planning to add a boxed warning to the vaccines. Those reports said the move was being pushed by Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s chief medical and scientific officer. The FDA has not officially confirmed those claims.
Last month, Prasad told FDA staff that COVID-19 vaccines may have contributed to the deaths of at least 10 children who developed heart inflammation. The FDA is currently reviewing deaths across different age groups that could be linked to the vaccines as part of a broader safety investigation.
The debate is taking place amid major changes in U.S. vaccine policy. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned vaccine safety, has limited access to COVID-19 vaccines. Under the new policy, vaccines are mainly recommended for people aged 65 and older and for those with serious health conditions.
Vaccine makers have defended their products. Moderna said earlier that it has found no new or hidden safety concerns related to its COVID-19 vaccine in children or pregnant women. Pfizer, which sells a COVID-19 vaccine with its partner BioNTech, also reaffirmed that its shot remains safe and effective.
While the FDA continues to study vaccine safety, its current position is clear: there are no plans to add a black box warning to COVID-19 vaccines. The agency says it will keep reviewing data and take action if new evidence shows serious risks.
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