Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie have petitioned the FDA to revoke COVID-19 vaccines due to growing concerns about side effects, questioning the CDC’s continued recommendation for children. Greene wishes to remove COVID-19 vaccines from the childhood immunization schedule. Massie has joined Greene in calling for the cancellation of FDA vaccine approval.
COVID Vaccines Under Fire in Congress
Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have filed a significant challenge to the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, urging the Food and Drug Administration to revoke their approval. Both lawmakers have expressed concerns about vaccine-related side effects and deaths. Their position directly contradicts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ongoing recommendations, which continue to support COVID-19 vaccination for Americans aged six months and up.
Greene has been especially vocal about the removal of COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule. Her opposition to these vaccines had previously resulted in the suspension of her Twitter account, which was restored following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform, now known as X. This restoration has greatly increased her ability to share her vaccine concerns with a larger audience. The controversy highlights the growing tension between public health recommendations and skepticism about vaccine safety among some lawmakers.
BOOM!
Thomas Massie and Gosar are going after The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 — Specifically Vaccine Manufacturers Liability Protection
The Mass Poisoning of our children is coming to an end! pic.twitter.com/V7kmuEI5Rp
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) November 11, 2024
Concerns about the safety of vaccinations
The CDC has reported a few cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly in adolescents and young adult males after the second dose. These cardiac complications are still being monitored by health officials. Despite these acknowledged risks, the CDC believes that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, especially since COVID-19 can cause severe illness and complications in unvaccinated people of all ages.
“The FDA’s approval for COVID-19 vaccines should be withdrawn, and they should be removed from the childhood vaccine schedule as soon as possible.”
Currently, no FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines exist for children under six months of age, a fact that Greene and her supporters point to when questioning the safety and necessity of these vaccines for young children. The representatives’ statements come at a time when many states are reviewing their vaccine policies and some have moved to restrict vaccine mandates, reflecting the broader national debate about personal health freedom versus public health imperatives during an ongoing pandemic that has claimed over a million American lives.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for yanking FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccines, says that "COVID-19 vaccines are causing permanent harm and deaths."
Should have never been given one from the start! Just goes to show the FDA doesn’t care about us one bit.
Greene calls for… pic.twitter.com/VhOyYDwvNA
— Donnie Cope (@dcopechatter) March 21, 2025
Political and public health consequences
Rep. Massie has firmly supported Greene’s position, stating, “The FDA should immediately revoke approval of these shots.” Their shared stance has gained traction among some conservative voters who are concerned about government overreach in health care. The debate extends beyond simple vaccine safety questions into broader discussions about governmental authority, personal liberty, and the appropriate limits of public health policy during crisis situations.
“COVID-19 vaccines should have never received approval, and they’ve known the entire time how bad the side effects are and deaths caused by them. It’s time to do the right thing. Stop the COVID-19 vaccines.”
Addressing Greene and Massie’s concerns while maintaining public confidence in the vaccine program presents a significant communication challenge for public health experts. The CDC emphasizes that COVID-19 vaccines have undergone and continue to receive rigorous safety testing. The agency notes that billions of doses have been administered worldwide, with few serious adverse events reported. However, the representatives’ high-profile comments may influence vaccine hesitancy among their constituents, potentially affecting vaccination rates in their districts and beyond.