Officials ‘missed 99% of data’ on Covid vaccines before making recommendation, memos reveal

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Melody SchreiberMarch 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Internal memos reveal that US health officials reportedly overlooked a vast amount of data when deciding to end Covid-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant individuals and children in May. Critics allege the decision, initiated by HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., was based on ideology rather than scientific evidence. The memos, circulated within US health agencies, contained a limited number of citations, with experts claiming that 99% of relevant data was missed. Members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), some with anti-vaccine views, are now considering vaccines in pregnancy. Experts suggest this decision deviates from international recommendations, such as those from the WHO, and sets a concerning precedent for future immunization policies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has filed a lawsuit against the HHS in response.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Marty Makary 30% Tracy Beth Høeg 40% Boston Medical Center 40% World Health Organization (WHO) 40% Kevin Ault 50% Naima Joseph 50% US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 60% American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 60% United States ×470% Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) ×370% Robert F Kennedy Jr 70% US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 80%

Keywords

covid vaccines 100% vaccine recommendations 90% pregnancy 80% children 70% data 70% evidence-based 60% immunization 50% advisory committee on immunization practices 40% mrna 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

United States

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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covid vaccines vaccine recommendations pregnancy children data evidence-based immunization advisory committee on immunization practices mrna

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