Aaron Siri, an attorney affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., filed motions in 2022 to have the Food and Drug Administration revoke approval of the polio vaccine, claiming it “does not prevent enteric infections and therefore does not prevent transmission of the polio vaccine.” Poliovirus.”

The New York Times was the first to uncover Siri’s request.

Kennedy was appointed by the Trump administration to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has expressed skepticism about the benefits of vaccines.

Siri’s petition included letters of support from people who also opposed the approval of the vaccine.

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In early 2023, Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, responded to Siri’s petition. Marks responded by saying the FDA “has been unable to make a decision on your petition because it raises questions that require further review and analysis by agency officials.” Marks added that Siri will be informed as soon as possible the FDA made a decision on the petition.

Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, said he is not an “anti-vaxxer.” However, he has made numerous claims about vaccines that have been disputed by major health organizations. One of these widely debunked claims is that vaccines are linked to autism.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said most people infected with poliovirus, the virus that causes polio, do not experience symptoms. In severe cases of polio, permanent disability and death can occur. Vaccines have largely prevented the spread of infections in the United States

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 92% of children nationwide are fully vaccinated against polio by 24 months. The vaccine is considered 99% effective after three doses.

Dozens of Nobel laureates have urged senators to reject Kennedy’s nomination because they fear Kennedy would “endanger the public’s health and undermine America’s global leadership in the health sciences.”

A statement from the Trump transition team said: “Mr. Kennedy would help restore the integrity of our health care and make America healthy again.”