Outgoing White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci reacted to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's call this week for a grand jury investigation to determine whether there was wrongdoing in his state regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.
DeSantis noted the "pharmaceutical industry has a notorious history of misleading the public for financial gain" and said the probe will look at "the development, promotion, and distribution of vaccines purported to prevent COVID-19 infection, symptoms, and transmission."
He added: "It is against the law to mislead and to misrepresent, particularly when you're talking about the efficacy of a drug."
Fauci told CNN's Kate Bolduc he had no idea what the Republican governor was getting at with the announcement.
"I don't have a clue … what he's asking for. I mean, we have a vaccine that, unequivocally, is highly effective and safe and has saved literally millions of lives," said the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci then pointed to a Commonwealth Fund report, which found the COVID-19 vaccines saved 3.2 million lives, prevented over 18 million hospitalizations, and about $1 trillion in costs.
"So what's the problem with vaccines? Vaccines are lifesaving," he said. "So quite frankly, Kate, I'm not sure what they're trying to do down there."
CNN: "Ron DeSantis. He's now asking the Florida Supreme Court to green-light an investigation into...any and all wrongdoing...with respect to COVID-19 vaccines."
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 14, 2022
FAUCI: "I don't have a clue what he's asking for...What's the problem with vaccines?" pic.twitter.com/RBO0T8QKvR
In addition to calling for a Statewide Grand Jury investigation, the governor announced the establishment of a Public Health Integrity Committee, which will assess federal decisions and recommendations on public health measures, ensuring that they are "tailored for Florida's communities and aligned with state priorities." Additionally, more surveillance efforts on the sudden deaths of people who received the vaccine will be undertaken.
