Outgoing Senate Minority Chief and polio survivor Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a stern warning Friday to incoming members of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration who might search to revoke federal approval of the polio vaccine.
McConnell didn’t point out Well being and Human Companies Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., by identify – however his assertion on “harmful” efforts to roll again immunizations in opposition to the viral illness was clearly aimed on the scion of the Democratic political dynasty.
“The polio vaccine has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a horrible illness. Efforts to undermine public confidence in confirmed cures aren’t simply uninformed – they’re harmful,” McConnell stated.
“Anybody looking for the Senate’s consent to serve within the incoming Administration would do properly to avoid even the looks of affiliation with such efforts,” the senator warned.
McConnell’s assertion comes after the New York Instances reported that Aaron Siri – an lawyer who labored on Kennedy Jr.’s presidential marketing campaign and helps him choose federal well being officers for the incoming administration – petitioned the Meals and Drug Administration to do away with its approval of the polio vaccine in 2022.
Siri has additionally filed greater than a dozen lawsuits to halt vaccine distribution and helped remove some mandates for the COVID-19 jab, in response to the outlet.
The lawyer defined to the Instances that the petitions had been filed on behalf of his purchasers and he claimed that he doesn’t need Individuals barred from being immunized.
A spokeswoman for Kennedy Jr. famous that Trump’s HHS decide “has lengthy stated that he needs transparency in vaccines and to present individuals alternative.”
McConnell, who’s stepping down as the highest Republican within the Senate subsequent 12 months, contracted polio on the age of two and suffers from paralysis in his higher left leg because of the illness.
“Like hundreds of thousands of households earlier than them, my dad and mom knew the ache and concern of watching their baby wrestle with the life-altering prognosis of polio,” the senator’s assertion continued. “From the age of two, regular life with out paralysis was solely attainable for me due to the miraculous mixture of recent medication and a mom’s love.”
“However for hundreds of thousands who got here after me, the true miracle was the saving energy of the polio vaccine,” McConnell added.
“I’ve by no means flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress, and I can’t right this moment.”
Kennedy Jr. is anticipated to fulfill with senators on Capitol Hill subsequent week as a part of his effort to get confirmed for the HHS put up.
It could solely take 4 Republicans becoming a member of each Democrat and unbiased to tank his affirmation.
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