Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s personal attorney previously lobbied the Food and Drug Administration to overturn approval of the polio vaccine, highlighting an influential Kennedy ally. Trump administration
The issue could be something RFK Jr. is asked about when he heads to Capitol Hill next week to meet with senators to consider whether to confirm him as health and human services secretary.
Aaron Siri, Partner at Siri Law Firm & Glimstad, has long fought against the prevalence of vaccines. He has also submitted requests to suspend the distribution of other vaccines, including hepatitis B, and to revoke the authorization for emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The 2022 polio request was made on behalf of one of Siri’s clients, the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), a group founded by Del Bigtree, a close Kennedy ally also involved in health care transition issues, according to sources.
“The applicant requests that the FDA withdraw or suspend approval of the (polio vaccine) in infants, infants, and young children until a double-blind, adequately controlled and adequately powered trial of sufficient duration to evaluate the safety of this product is conducted,” Siri. he wrote
Robert Kennedy Jr. speaks with others with President-elect Donald Trump at the New York Stock Exchange on December 12, 2024 in New York.
Alex Brandon/AP
The New York Times notify on the order made earlier Friday.
Siri did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Kennedy, meanwhile, did not respond to written questions about whether he agreed with the denial of approval of the polio vaccine or whether, as health and human services secretary, Siri’s request would interfere with the FDA’s review.
The polio vaccine available in the United States is recommended for children and three doses provide at least 99% protection against serious disease, including paralysis. According to the CDC. Side effects are usually mild and go away on their own, the agency notes, and the vaccine is not known to cause serious problems.
Since the late 1980s, global polio cases have fallen by more than 99% with increased vaccination efforts to eradicate the disease, from about 350,000 cases to just six reported cases in 2021. According to the World Health Organization. Their efforts have now enabled around 20 million people who would otherwise be paralyzed to walk and saved more than 1.5 million lives. According to the CDC.
The polio vaccine has been part of the routine childhood schedule for decades, and federal health officials use multiple systems to monitor vaccine safety. Polio can cause lifelong paralysis, and 10 percent of children with paralysis from polio die because the virus affects the muscles that allow them to breathe, the CDC notes.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wears a bandage over his face and wrists as he goes to vote after collapsing during lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 10, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, said in a statement to ABC News that efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not only uninformed, but dangerous.
“Like millions of families before them, my parents knew the pain and fear of watching their child struggle with a life-changing diagnosis of polio,” she said. “From the age of two, a normal life without paralysis was possible for me only because of the miraculous combination of modern medicine and mother’s love. But for millions of people who came after me, the real miracle was the salvation of the polio vaccine.
“For decades, I’ve been proud to work with passionate advocates — from Rotary International to the Gates Foundation — and to use my platform in public life to seek cures for generations to come. It threatens life-saving medical progress, and I won’t do it today.
“The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held the promise of eradicating a terrible disease. Efforts to undermine people’s confidence in proven cures are not only uninformed, they are dangerous,” he continued. “Anyone seeking permission to serve in the incoming Senate Administration would do well to distance themselves from the appearance of association with such efforts.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asked RFK Jr to “state his position” on the matter.
“This would definitely make America sick again. It is outrageous and dangerous for people in the Trump Transition to try to take away the polio vaccine that has nearly eradicated polio in America and saved millions of lives. RFK Jr. needs to make his position known on this,” he said. Schumer in an online post.
ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
