WASHINGTON — Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a baby, says any of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees searching for Senate affirmation ought to “steer clear” of efforts to discredit the polio vaccine.
“Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed — they’re dangerous,” McConnell stated in a press release Friday. “Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.”
The 82-year-old lawmaker’s assertion gave the impression to be directed at Trump’s decide for well being secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after a report that considered one of his advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. That vaccine is extensively thought of to have halted the illness in most components of the world.
McConnell’s phrases had been an indication that Kennedy, who has lengthy superior the debunked concept that vaccines trigger autism, might face some resistance within the soon-to-be GOP-controlled Senate.
“Mr. Kennedy believes the Polio Vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied,” Katie Miller, the transition spokeswoman for Kennedy, stated in response to questions.
The New York Occasions reported that the petition was filed by a lawyer now serving to Kennedy choose candidates for federal well being positions within the incoming administration.
Any particular person or firm can file a petition with the Meals and Drug Administration, which generally fields a whole lot of requests at any time relating to varied meals, drug and medical points. Most petitions are denied, however the FDA is required to answer every one in writing.
Vaccines have been confirmed to be protected and efficient in laboratory testing and in use in a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of individuals over many years. They’re thought of among the many handiest public well being measures in historical past.
McConnell contracted polio at 2 years previous however survived due to “the miraculous combination of modern medicine and a mother’s love,” in keeping with the assertion. He praised the “saving power” of the polio vaccine for the “millions who came after me.”
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a publish on X that it was “outrageous and dangerous for people in the Trump Transition to try and get rid of the polio vaccine that has virtually eradicated polio in America and saved millions of lives.”
He stated Kennedy ought to make clear his place on it.
Trump introduced final month his number of Kennedy, saying Kennedy would work to guard Individuals “from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives.”