A spokesperson from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revealed that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has blocked the publication of several studies confirming the safety of Covid-19 and shingles vaccines.
The studies, conducted by agency scientists, analysed millions of patient records and found that serious side effects from the vaccines were rare, contradicting claims of safety concerns.
In a statement, the HHS spokesperson alleged that the FDA had suppressed the findings, which could have alleviated public anxiety and misinformation surrounding vaccination programmes.
The US FDA has been under scrutiny in recent months due to allegations of undue influence from pharmaceutical companies and a perceived bias towards approving vaccines over rigorous safety standards.
The implications of this revelation are far-reaching, with many experts warning that the suppression of scientific evidence could have serious consequences for public health and the credibility of government agencies.
The UK Government has so far remained silent on the matter, but the Foreign Office advises British nationals to 'exercise caution' when travelling to the US, particularly in relation to vaccination requirements.