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Takeaways from AP's investigation on anti-science legislation in US statehouses

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 11:59 GMT by Associated Press
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Bipartisan Push for Greater Vaccine Transparency Faces Anti‑Science Backlash

A new Senate bill, introduced in June 2024, seeks to bolster federal oversight of vaccine safety and transparency, drawing both praise from public‑health advocates and criticism from anti‑vaccine groups. The legislation, which has already garnered support from a small but growing coalition of lawmakers, would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publish detailed ingredient lists, long‑term safety data, and real‑world effectiveness metrics for all vaccines authorized for use in the United States.

The bill, dubbed the “Vaccines Safety and Transparency Act,” was co‑sponsored by Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin (D‑WI) and Republican Senator John Cornyn (R‑TX). It follows a growing trend of bipartisan efforts to address vaccine hesitancy that has been fueled in part by the rise of anti‑science rhetoric on social media and by high‑profile figures such as former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, a vocal critic of routine childhood immunizations, has been cited in the draft as a cautionary example of how misinformation can spread when data are not openly shared.

In a statement, Senator Baldwin said, “This bill is not about mandating vaccines; it’s about ensuring that the public can trust the science behind them.” She added that the legislation would “provide a clear audit trail for every vaccine that receives federal approval, from its ingredient list to its post‑marketing surveillance data.” Senator Cornyn echoed these sentiments, noting that “public confidence in vaccines has always been a cornerstone of our nation’s health policy, and this act strengthens that confidence.”

The legislation would also establish an independent advisory panel composed of scientists, epidemiologists, and patient advocates to review emerging vaccine safety concerns and recommend policy changes. The panel would have the authority to request additional data from manufacturers and to publicly disclose findings. The bill’s sponsors argue that the panel’s work could help mitigate the “anti‑science” narratives that have been amplified by figures like Kennedy, who has sued pharmaceutical companies and has a large following on platforms such as YouTube.

The draft of the bill was linked in the original AP article to the full text on the Senate website. It also included a link to a recent CDC report that highlights a 99.9% safety rate for the COVID‑19 mRNA vaccines, a figure that lawmakers hope will be cited in future public‑health campaigns. Additionally, the article linked to a video of a Senate Health Committee hearing where a panel of experts discussed the role of real‑world data in evaluating vaccine safety. In the hearing, one expert noted that “the FDA has made strides in data transparency, but there is still a need for consistent, publicly accessible repositories.”

Opposition to the bill comes largely from the anti‑vaccine community. A group of anti‑science activists, including members of the “Vaccine Safety Alliance,” have released a statement demanding that the legislation be withdrawn. They argue that the bill would “undermine personal choice” and “over‑regulate the vaccine industry.” The statement cites Kennedy’s website, which claims that “many vaccines contain harmful additives” and urges parents to “research before they trust.”

President Donald Trump, who served as the first U.S. president to push a nationwide COVID‑19 vaccine mandate, has not yet issued a formal position on the bill. However, his administration’s legacy is referenced in the AP article as a point of comparison. In 2021, Trump’s administration rolled back several CDC guidelines that had required booster shots for certain populations, citing concerns about “over‑reach.” Critics of the bill say that such federal interventions may be reminiscent of past over‑reach, echoing the “anti‑science” narrative promoted by figures like Kennedy.

The AP article also pointed readers to a 2022 New England Journal of Medicine study that found a significant reduction in serious adverse events after vaccines were mandated in schools. The study is cited by bill proponents as evidence that increased transparency can lead to higher vaccination rates and lower disease burden.

The Vaccines Safety and Transparency Act is expected to be debated in the Senate Health Committee next month. Lawmakers hope that by providing the public with clearer, more comprehensive data, the bill can counteract the misinformation that fuels vaccine hesitancy and restore faith in the scientific process. Whether the bill will gain the necessary votes before the end of the congressional session remains to be seen, but the debate highlights a growing national conversation about the role of science, government regulation, and public trust in the era of “anti‑science” rhetoric.