HHS Developing AI Tool to Monitor Vaccine Side Effects

FDA Official Investigated for Alleged Fake Divorce; Texas Issues Guidance on Abortion Law

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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This week's healthcare investigations include reports that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is developing an AI tool to identify patterns in vaccine side effect data, as well as an investigation into a senior FDA official's divorce. Additionally, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is said to be targeting mRNA COVID-19 shots and other vaccines offered to pregnant women.

Why it matters

These stories highlight ongoing concerns and controversies around vaccine safety, regulation, and oversight, as well as the potential for political influence in public health decision-making. The development of an AI tool to monitor vaccine side effects and the investigation into an FDA official's divorce raise questions about transparency and the integrity of the vaccine approval process.

The details

According to reports, HHS is developing an AI tool aimed at identifying patterns in data reported to a national vaccine monitoring database and generating hypotheses on negative effects of vaccines. Meanwhile, the HHS inspector general is investigating a senior FDA official related to their divorce and assets, focusing on whether a fake divorce was used to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, members of the CDC's ACIP selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are said to be targeting mRNA COVID-19 shots and other vaccines offered to pregnant women, with the ACIP chair stating that 'efficacy will be secondary' to looking at potential harms of vaccines.

  • The HHS AI tool is currently in development.
  • The HHS inspector general investigation into the senior FDA official is ongoing.
  • The ACIP members selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have recently begun targeting mRNA COVID-19 shots and other vaccines offered to pregnant women.

The players

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The federal agency responsible for protecting the health and well-being of all Americans, including overseeing the development and regulation of vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current HHS Secretary, known for his skepticism of vaccine safety and his appointment of ACIP members who share his views.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The leading national public health institute in the United States, which oversees the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

A group of medical and public health experts that provide recommendations on the use of vaccines in the United States.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency responsible for regulating and supervising the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices, including vaccines.

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What’s next

The HHS inspector general's investigation into the senior FDA official's divorce and assets is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for the integrity of the vaccine approval process. Additionally, the ACIP's actions under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be closely watched as they continue to scrutinize mRNA COVID-19 shots and other vaccines offered to pregnant women.

The takeaway

These developments highlight the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding vaccine safety, regulation, and oversight, as well as the potential for political influence to shape public health decision-making. The creation of an AI tool to monitor vaccine side effects and the investigation into an FDA official's divorce raise concerns about transparency and the integrity of the vaccine approval process, while the ACIP's new focus on potential vaccine harms under Kennedy's leadership suggests a shift away from prioritizing vaccine efficacy.