May 12, 2026

Doctors for America’s FDA Task Force Alarmed By FDA Decision to Withdraw Vaccine Studies 

Washington, D.C. - Doctors for America’s (DFA) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Task Force is deeply concerned about reports that FDA halted publication of federally funded studies which demonstrated the safety of vaccines for COVID-19 and prevented data from studies on the shingles vaccine from being presented at a major medical meeting. This follows the report of mothballing a research paper on efficacy of Covid-19 vaccination and the risk of hospitalization that was to be published in the CDC’s MMWR.

The decision to withdraw these studies without detailed rationale is extremely concerning and sets a dangerous precedent. The blocked studies were accepted by peer reviewed journals and grounded in science that  held to the highest evidentiary standards. As physicians, we rely on scientific studies to make informed medical decisions. If scientific studies are only published when the results of those studies align politically with the administration in office, patients and physicians will make decisions based on flawed information and patients will be denied the fundamental care which saves lives and lowers risk of disease complications.

DFA’s FDA Task Force is deeply concerned about this decision to put politics over patients. Censorship of data has no role in healthcare. At a time when vaccine confidence remains fragile, patients and physicians deserve full and timely access to scientifically proven evidence. When research is delayed, suppressed, or perceived to be influenced by politics, it risks undermining confidence not only in these vaccines, but the broader scientific and medical institutions.       

For press inquiries and to discuss this issue with members of Doctors for America, please contact Alli Everton with Continuum Health Group (aeverton@cha-dc.com).

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About Doctors for America:

Doctors for America (DFA) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes over 40,000 physicians and medical trainees to advocate for policies that improve the health of patients and communities. Through advocacy training and action at the state and federal levels, DFA works to expand access to affordable care, strengthen community health and prevention, and advance health justice and equity. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical, insurance, or for-profit health care entities, ensuring our work remains fiercely independent and patient-centered. DFA puts patients over politics–and over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X @drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.

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