like the annual flu vaccine for new strains, where the vaccine is essentially the same--same methodology and response--just a new strain component in the vaccine. But to start at scratch with a placebo control trial when that has already been established is not only insane, costly, and delaying, but it will mean those who receive a placebo when it has already been established that the vaccine is effective and safe are actually being put at risk. This is insanely unethical.

No IRB/Human Subjects Review Board would approve this under those circumstances.

This means that participants are randomly assigned to receive either
the experimental vaccine or a placebo.

A placebo is an inactive injection that mimics the real experience to the patient.

The flu vaccines receive yearly updates to reflect the mutating viruses each year.
These vaccines have already been tested thoroughly as stated above.
But the yearly updates are not placebo studies because it is unethical to withhold
a needed preventive medication. They do undergo randomized and double blind studies.

RFKjr has no idea how research is conducted. Researchers make excellent research protocols
but they must be done ethically.

being posted. To those who don't know the details, the articles would seem to imply that what RFK is doing is both new and needed. I'd at least like to think DUers would know how to counter this when it comes up in discussions in their "real lives."

The inanity and daily debacles never end...

It is just research design 101.
And review of the vaccine research literature.

I heard Dr Peter Hotez discussing this earlier this afternoon. What you posted is accurate, and RFK Jr is a tool.

Even though a placebo is something harmless like a sugar pill or water.

while rfk jr is standing outside in a beautiful day, all of a sudden, acid rain.

RFK Jr. is an idiot and does not know what is talking about. All vaccines are test in placebo controlled tests because that is what is required.

My oldest was in the Pfzier COVID vaccine trial back in August of 2020. They did not tell him if he was in the control group or the vaccine group until Feb or March of 2021.

The placibo cohort was only 50, maybe 5-8%. Then two similar size of each of the two standard ones, then a bunch w differing adjudivant levels. But I'd guess the normal ones are like that too. The control can be small as the effects will differ markedly if treatment is at all efficacious. I majored in statistics including repeating expermential design at the graduate level plus biostatistics. The math is different w this versus trying a new pharmaceutical. These vaccine ones ate looking at two things; one, does it lead to less cases of sickness and second are adverse health outcomes no worse inntreatment cohorts.