US Health Secretary Defends Promoting New COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Lack of Data

Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said the best proof the vaccines work is that he and vaccine company CEOs are still alive.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks during a news conference at the agency's headquarters in Washington on June 28, 2022. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Sept. 20 defended the Biden administration’s widespread promotion of the new COVID-19 vaccines despite the dearth of data supporting their use.

“These vaccines work,” Mr. Becerra, who isn’t a doctor, said during a briefing at a pharmacy in Washington where he received one of the shots.