Members of Congress spar over vaccine safety in hearing

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The coronavirus pandemic has caused many Americans to worry about side effects from vaccines. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) says she’s heard horror stories.

“All kinds of injuries, miscarriages, heart attacks, myocarditis, permanent disabilities, neurological problems,” Greene said.

Talk like that makes Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) angry.

“It’s shameful that members of Congress continue to put down vaccinations as an opportunity to get our communities healthier,” Garcia said.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup insists, the vaccines were effective and safe, and the real problem is communication.

“Public perception becomes reality. And because of that, words matter,” Wenstrup said. “So, now we have a society that thinks that the polio vaccine and the other vaccines aren’t necessarily safe and effective.”

Experts with the FDA agree it is necessary to reassure the public of the safety of vaccines and ensure their effectiveness.

“If we want to maintain confidence in the vaccines and the other medical products that we authorize or approve, we must have very robust safety surveillance systems in place,” Peter Marks, FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director said.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) says the CDC and FDA need to avoid mistakes and shut down misinformation to save more lives.

“Public health response of the federal government makes a huge difference in terms of health outcomes for the American people,” Raskin said.

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