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Influential figures aligned with a potential Donald Trump administration are reportedly pushing for a swift removal of COVID-19 vaccines from the U.S. market, possibly within months. This revelation comes from Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist and close associate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who indicated to The Daily Beast that such a move is under serious consideration.
Dr. Malhotra, a prominent advisor to the controversial lobby group Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Action—an organization widely seen as a key external driver of Kennedy’s health agenda—asserted that this stance resonates with “influential” members within former President Trump’s family. Neither Kennedy nor any Trump family members involved hold scientific qualifications to evaluate such medical claims.
The Push for Market Withdrawal: ‘Within Months’
According to Malhotra, those closest to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., earmarked as a potential Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, have expressed puzzlement over the continued prescription of the COVID-19 vaccine. He claims a decision to pull the vaccine, pending further research, could materialize “within months.” Such a move, he acknowledged, would likely trigger “fear of chaos” and significant legal challenges.
Malhotra suggested a phased approach could be adopted, including a deeper dive into existing data. He also highlighted an ongoing review of alleged “vaccine injuries” by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). However, given recent internal discussions about vaccine adverse events, he believes a single, decisive action to remove the vaccine from the market is also possible.
Debating Vaccine Safety: The 2022 Study
Skepticism surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine within Kennedy’s circle is reportedly fueled by a 2022 paper published in the journal Vaccine. This peer-reviewed study, conducted by a group of physicians, professors, and researchers, performed a secondary analysis of serious adverse events reported in clinical trials for Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in adults.
The paper concluded that individuals who received mRNA vaccines had a 16 percent higher risk of “excess serious adverse events” compared to those in placebo groups. Dr. Malhotra, while not an author of the study, claims he presented its findings during a MAHA Action team meeting in July, reportedly causing a significant reaction among Kennedy’s senior aides.
However, a substantial portion of the medical community has dismissed this study. Critics argue it underestimates the considerable benefits of COVID-19 vaccines while overstating risks, citing methodological flaws, biased data selection, and a failure to account for broader public health impacts.
RFK Jr.’s Influence and Actions
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s relationship with Dr. Malhotra dates back to September 2022, when Kennedy reportedly contacted Malhotra to commend his “courage” after the cardiologist published a paper on alleged “misinformation” regarding the COVID mRNA vaccine. Their bond has since deepened, with Malhotra assisting Kennedy’s presidential campaign and engaging in personal outings.
Malhotra is now slated to meet with former President Trump in September to advocate his anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccine perspectives. He believes Trump will be receptive to these views, seeing it as an opportunity to address perceived systemic issues and forge a “lasting legacy.”
This potential policy shift follows Kennedy’s prior actions, including the cancellation of $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development. The HHS secretary, previously criticized for labeling the COVID shot as “the deadliest vaccine ever made,” has publicly stated his belief that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous, citing risks like myocarditis (heart inflammation).
Widespread Criticism and White House Response
Kennedy’s pronouncements have drawn sharp condemnation. Earlier this month, over 750 current and former staff members from the CDC, HHS, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) publicly accused Kennedy of spreading dangerous misinformation. They argued his rhetoric fueled mistrust and potentially contributed to a recent tragic shooting at the CDC headquarters, where an anti-vaxxer killed a police officer.
In a letter addressed to Congress and Kennedy, these health professionals asserted that Kennedy is “complicit in dismantling America’s public health infrastructure and endangering the nation’s health by repeatedly spreading inaccurate health information.” They demanded he cease these actions, affirm CDC scientific integrity, and guarantee workforce safety.
In response, HHS stated that Kennedy stands “firmly with CDC employees” to ensure their safety and well-being, describing any attempt to link public health reforms with the shooting as an effort to “politicize a tragedy.”
When contacted for comment, a spokesman for the White House, Kush Desai, stated, “The Administration is relying on Gold Standard Science and is committed to radical transparency to make decisions that affect all Americans. Unless announced by the Administration, however, any discussion about HHS policy should be dismissed as baseless speculation.”