The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against what it labels “woke” science, recently appointing a well-known vaccine skeptic as the new leader of the Department of Health and Human Services. This move comes alongside a series of controversial actions, including the prohibition of numerous research terms from government websites and the dismissal of a significant number of researchers at the National Science Foundation.

In a revealing development, two new research papers, as highlighted by Ars Technica, one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and another tied to an agency targeted by Trump, provide critical insights into the effects of COVID-19 vaccinations on children and adolescents.

Notably, both studies demonstrate that annual vaccinations substantially reduce the risk of developing long COVID in young individuals and debunk the conspiracy theory linking vaccines to sudden cardiac death in this age group. This further underscores the necessity of COVID-19 vaccinations for both children and adults alike.

The urgency of this topic is amplified by the Trump administration’s systematic efforts to undermine scientific research funding—a significant shift from his earlier initiative, Operation Warp Speed, which aimed to expedite COVID vaccine development during the pandemic.

One of the studies published in the journal JAMA Network Open reveals that COVID-19 vaccinations correlate with a 57% reduction in the likelihood of experiencing symptoms related to post-COVID conditions among children aged five to 17 years.

This effectiveness remains relevant and critical in today’s context. The researchers emphasized in their findings that it is essential for children to stay current with COVID-19 vaccination guidelines, as these shots not only protect against severe illness but also against long COVID.

A separate cohort study published in the same journal dispels fears surrounding young athletes’ increased susceptibility to myocarditis or sudden cardiac arrest due to COVID-19. The research team observed no uptick in these cardiac issues before or during the pandemic.

This study contributes to the growing body of evidence indicating no connection between COVID-related complications and cardiac deaths among youth. Earlier in 2023, misinformation regarding young athletes suffering cardiac arrests linked to COVID began circulating, despite ongoing efforts to disprove such claims.

These findings are particularly timely as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumes the role of Trump’s health secretary. Kennedy has previously expressed skepticism about the scientific consensus on childhood vaccines and has questioned the lifesaving impact of COVID vaccines.

As reported by the Guardian, Kennedy’s nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, allegedly attempted to impede the rollout of new COVID vaccinations during the pandemic’s peak.

The implications of Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance for the future of immunization efforts in the U.S. are uncertain, and his appointment has already sparked significant controversy. During his Senate confirmation hearing in January, he faced challenges from Democrats regarding inconsistent statements about vaccine effectiveness.

Trump has also introduced the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, which will be chaired by Kennedy. This new body aims to address concerns like the potential overprescription of ADHD medications and rising cases of autism and asthma among children.

Experts warn that Kennedy’s critical views on vaccines might significantly hinder efforts to eradicate polio in the United States.

This outlook on public health is concerning. With the Trump administration actively combatting vital scientific research and Kennedy committing to investigate childhood vaccine safety, it appears that few lessons have been taken to heart following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further Reading on COVID Vaccines: Trump’s Threat to Ban Vaccines