- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is exploring a new system to simplify government payouts for individuals claiming injuries from Covid -19 treatments.
- A July 1 notice from HHS outlined plans to create an "injury table" listing conditions presumed to be caused by Covid-19 countermeasures, including vaccines .
- This table would streamline the process for individuals to seek benefits under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, which currently only covers smallpox and H1N1.
- Critics worry the change could allow Kennedy to advance his vaccine skepticism without scientific scrutiny, as these injury claims would not be subject to court review.
- The move is viewed by some as potentially "scientifically unsound" and "politically useful," especially considering Kennedy's past leadership of an anti-vaccine group and the administration's previous actions on mRNA vaccine research.
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