A recent document from the Department of Health and Human Services was sent to lawmakers to support Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to change U.S. policy on covid vaccines. However, experts have pointed out that the document contains scientific studies that are either unpublished or under dispute, and mischaracterizes others.

Mark Turrentine, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, described the document as 'willful medical disinformation' regarding the safety of covid vaccines for children and pregnant women. He expressed concern that Congress members were provided with inaccurate information by the agencies.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was previously known for his anti-vaccine activism, announced changes to the CDC's recommendations on covid vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children. The decision was made without following the agency's formal process for adjusting vaccine schedules, sparking outrage among pediatricians and scientists.

The document supporting Kennedy's decision, titled 'Covid Recommendation FAQ,' distorts legitimate studies and references others that are disputed and unpublished, according to medical experts. Despite claims of safety concerns, the document has not been made available on the HHS website.

Andrew Nixon, HHS director of communications, defended the document, stating that there was no distortion of the studies and that the evidence raised legitimate safety concerns. However, the author of the document remains unnamed.

Sean O’Leary, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, criticized Kennedy for using a mix of good and junk science to support his stance. O'Leary highlighted the misleading claims made in the document regarding the risks associated with covid vaccines.

While the HHS memo cites studies suggesting adverse effects of covid vaccines, experts have pointed out flaws in the data presented. Claims about myocarditis and pericarditis have been refuted by peer-reviewed studies that show a greater risk of these complications after contracting covid rather than from vaccination alone.

Experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of the information provided in the HHS document and its potential impact on public health policies. The document has prompted calls for greater transparency and adherence to scientific standards in decision-making processes.