A confidential federal report demands major changes to track and treat Covid vaccine injuries, even as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. distances himself from vaccine policy debates. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) work group's document, obtained by the New York Times, proposes creating a specific diagnostic category for vaccine injuries, new clinical guidelines, and research centers to study long-term harms.

The report cites a Rasmussen poll suggesting one in four Americans know someone who died from vaccine side effects. The report specifically recommends awarding distinct diagnostic codes for vaccine injuries to enable insurance reimbursement. This push occurs despite the CDC finding no increased death risk post-vaccination and Kennedy's recent overhaul of the committee. Critics like Dr. Sean O'Leary argue the report misrepresents existing science by focusing on low-quality studies and ignoring contradictory evidence. The proposals come as the committee retreats from plans to rescind mRNA vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women..