STAT+: NIH’s new vaccine injury center has broad goals beyond RFK Jr.’s focus on shots

Washington — The National Institutes of Health recently announced the establishment of a new Vaccine Injury Center, aiming to address the concerns of patients suffering from vaccine injuries. This center was unveiled during a private event, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined other top federal health officials in making the announcement. However, a few days later, two leaders at the NIH revealed that the new center's scope would extend beyond just vaccine injuries.

The expanded focus of the center will now include investigating long-term symptoms experienced by people after infections, particularly the aftermath of Covid. This shift in focus came about due to recent amplified discussions surrounding long-term Covid symptoms, which have affected many individuals who have gone through both Covid infection and vaccination.

The senior NIH official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that distinguishing between symptoms arising from vaccines and those stemming from infections can be challenging. This is due to the similar immunological response mechanisms involved in both cases, as well as the potential for individuals to have experienced both a vaccine and an infection.