
A recent FDA memo threatens to undermine public trust in COVID-19 vaccines by claiming they caused child deaths, raising alarm among health professionals.
Quick Take
- An FDA memo claims COVID-19 vaccines caused at least 10 child deaths.
- The memo has been criticized for its scientific methodology.
- Megyn Kelly presents the memo as confirmation of vaccine dangers.
FDA Memo Claims Child Deaths from COVID Vaccines
An internal FDA memo authored by Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, asserts that at least 10 out of 96 reported child deaths were caused by COVID-19 vaccines. This claim is based on data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collected between 2021 and 2024. The memo suggests myocarditis as a potential mechanism but lacks detailed case data or peer-reviewed analysis to substantiate these claims.
The memo’s release has sparked a fierce debate, with critics, including prominent vaccine experts like Dr. Paul Offit and Dr. Peter Marks, labeling it as scientifically flawed. They argue that VAERS data cannot establish causality and stress that the memo’s approach mirrors anti-vaccine rhetoric, thereby undermining public confidence in vaccines.
Media Amplification and Public Perception
The memo gained significant attention after being highlighted by media personality Megyn Kelly, who framed it as a bombshell confirmation of long-suspected vaccine risks. Kelly’s coverage has intensified public concern, especially among those already skeptical of vaccine safety. This amplification has further complicated public understanding, as it often omits critical expert criticisms that challenge the memo’s conclusions.
In the current polarized environment, the memo’s claims are likely to fuel vaccine hesitancy, particularly among parents deciding on vaccinating their children. This apprehension is exacerbated by mixed messages from regulatory bodies, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continuing to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination in children.
Expert Critique and Regulatory Implications
Experts have strongly criticized the memo for its lack of rigorous scientific backing and for drawing conclusions from VAERS data, which is intended as a signal detection system rather than definitive evidence of causation. Dr. Kathryn Edwards emphasized the complexity of confirming vaccine-caused deaths, which requires detailed investigations and often autopsy results.
Megyn Kelly Confirms Deadly COVID Vax Reporting – Read the Bombshell '10 Out of 96 Reported Child Deaths Were Vax-Related' Memo Here via @WestJournalism https://t.co/oukMxOL7J9
— Lmsjrpol (@lmsjrpol) December 8, 2025
Despite the controversy, the FDA has not formally endorsed the memo’s claims, and its suggestions for regulatory changes are under consideration but not yet adopted. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between regulatory bodies and public perception, as media narratives continue to shape the discourse around vaccine safety.
Sources:
Irresponsible, Dangerous: FDA Memo Links COVID Shots to Children Deaths, Proposes New Vaccine Rules
CDC MMWR Volume 74
AHA Journals: Circulation
Vinay Prasad FDA Vaccine Regulator Analysis

















