Three studies used by RFK Jr and allies to justify controversial vaccine policies changes facing new scrutiny
Three scientific studies previously used to justify changes to US vaccine policies have been retracted or are under investigation. These papers were cited by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump administration to challenge established scientific consensus on vaccine safety.
Why it matters
The retraction of these studies undermines the scientific basis for recent controversial public health policy shifts.
A man gets Covid and flu vaccine shots in Boston on 7 January 2026. Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images View image in fullscreen A man gets Covid and flu vaccine shots in Boston on 7 January 2026. Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images Maha s Gold Standard Trump administration Three studies used by RFK Jr and allies to justify controversial vaccine policy changes facing new scrutiny Scientists praise moves to investigate, retract or remove controversial studies. The authors stand by their work
The framing focuses on the 'controversial' nature of the policies and highlights the anti-vaccine movement's role in spreading doubt.
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