NEW YORK, December 10, 2025 – A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that the Food and Drug Administration is investigating deaths potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines across different age groups as part of a safety review.
The administration’s chief medical and scientific officer informed staff in a memo last month that COVID vaccines may have contributed to the deaths of at least 10 children from myocarditis and announced plans to tighten vaccine oversight.
The memo did not disclose the health status of the children or the manufacturers of the vaccines in question. The findings, which have not been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, were based on a preliminary analysis of a total of 96 deaths between 2021 and 2024.
A company reiterated its previous statement that there are no new or undisclosed safety concerns for children or pregnant women regarding its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
Similarly, another company affirmed the safety and efficacy of another mRNA-based COVID vaccine it markets with its partner.
The Secretary of Health radically changed government policy regarding COVID vaccines, limiting their availability to those aged 65 or older and those with underlying medical conditions.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
### **Key Functions and Responsibilities:**
1. **Public Health Protection**
– Oversees agencies like the **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)**, **Food and Drug Administration (FDA)**, and **National Institutes of Health (NIH)**.
– Leads responses to public health emergencies (e.g., pandemics, natural disasters).
2. **Healthcare Access and Insurance**
– Administers **Medicare** (for seniors and certain disabled individuals) and **Medicaid** (jointly with states, for low-income populations).
– Implements the **Affordable Care Act (ACA)**, including Health Insurance Marketplaces.
3. **Medical and Scientific Research**
– Funds and conducts research through the **NIH** and other agencies to advance medical knowledge and treatments.
4. **Social Services and Support**
– Provides programs for low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities via the **Administration for Children and Families (ACF)** and the **Administration for Community Living (ACL)**.
– Oversees **Head Start**, child welfare, and refugee resettlement.
5. **Drug Safety and Regulation**
– The **FDA** ensures the safety of food, drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics.
### **Major Operating Divisions:**
– **CDC**: Disease prevention and control.
– **FDA**: Product safety and regulation.
– **NIH**: Biomedical and public health research.
– **CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)**: Healthcare coverage programs.
– **SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)**: Mental health and substance use services.
– **HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration)**: Healthcare access for underserved populations.
– **ACF and ACL**: Social and community support services.
### **Leadership:**
– Headed by the **Secretary of Health and Human Services**, a Cabinet-level position appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
– The current Secretary (as of late 2023) is **Xavier Becerra**.
### **Budget and Impact:**
– HHS manages the largest budget of any federal agency (over **$1.5 trillion annually**), largely due to Medicare and Medicaid.
– Its policies and programs directly affect nearly every American, from birth (via maternal health programs) to old age (through Medicare and social support).
### **Contact and Information:**
– **Website**: [www.hhs.gov](https://www.hhs.gov)
– **Headquarters**: Washington, D.C.
HHS plays a critical role in shaping U.S. health policy, advancing medical science, and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Food and Drug Administration
* **Human and veterinary drugs**
* **Biological products** (e.g., vaccines, blood products)
* **Medical devices**
* **The nation’s food supply** (except for meat, poultry, and some egg products, which are regulated by the USDA)
* **Cosmetics**
* **Products that emit radiation** (e.g., microwave ovens, X-ray machines)
* **Tobacco products**
### Key Functions:
1. **Regulation and Approval:** The FDA reviews and approves new drugs, medical devices, and food additives before they can be marketed.
2. **Monitoring and Enforcement:** It monitors products for safety issues after they reach the market, issues recalls, and takes regulatory action against violators.
3. **Research and Standards:** The agency conducts research and sets scientific standards to support its regulatory decisions.
4. **Public Information:** It provides science-based information to the public about products under its jurisdiction.
### Important Notes:
* **Scope:** Its authority is limited to products sold in **interstate commerce** within the United States.
* **Not a Drug Approval “Seal of Guarantee”:** While FDA approval means a drug’s benefits outweigh its known risks for the intended use, it does not guarantee absolute safety or effectiveness for every individual.
* **International:** Many other countries have their own equivalent regulatory bodies (e.g., EMA in Europe, Health Canada, PMDA in Japan).
**In short, the FDA is the primary U.S. agency tasked with ensuring that a wide range of consumer products are safe and properly labeled.**
Secretary of Health
### **United States**
In the U.S., the **Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)** is a Cabinet-level position. The Secretary leads the Department of Health and Human Services, one of the largest federal departments. Key responsibilities include:
* Overseeing agencies like the CDC, FDA, NIH, and CMS (Medicare/Medicaid).
* Advising the President on health matters.
* Managing public health emergencies and pandemic response.
* Administering a budget of over $1.5 trillion.
### **Other Countries**
Many nations have equivalent positions, often called the **Minister of Health**. They typically lead a national health ministry and are responsible for:
* Formulating national health policy and strategy.
* Managing public healthcare systems and funding.
* Overseeing disease prevention, health promotion, and sanitation.
* Regulating pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health professionals.
* Representing the country in international health organizations (like the WHO).
### **Key Issues & Challenges**
Regardless of the country, the role commonly grapples with:
* **Healthcare Access & Equity:** Ensuring affordable and quality care for all citizens.
* **Public Health Crises:** Leading responses to epidemics, pandemics, and bioterrorism threats.
* **Aging Populations & Chronic Diseases:** Managing the rising costs and care needs associated with these trends.
* **Innovation & Regulation:** Balancing the promotion of medical advances (like new drugs and technologies) with safety and efficacy regulations.
* **Budget Constraints:** Allocating limited resources across prevention, treatment, and infrastructure.
In summary, the Secretary of Health is a pivotal figure at the intersection of medicine, public policy, and administration, with a profound impact on the well-being of a nation’s population.
