NIH Board Chair Accuses Kennedy Clinic of Lacking New Funds
Jack Leslie told the hospital board that the vaccine injury facility carries zero additional budget and risks the institution's reputation.
By Marcus Johnson ·
The Clinical Center Research Hospital serves patients with rare conditions and those who have exhausted other treatment options. At a recent regular meeting, the hospital's board chair issued a warning that a new facility could damage that standing.
Jack Leslie, the board chair, spent approximately six minutes criticizing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Leslie set aside the standard agenda to address the secretary's recent surprise appearance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event opened a clinic focused on vaccine injuries and featured a panel of individuals holding placards that read "vaccine injured." Those speakers discussed their experiences with Kennedy and other senior administration officials.
Leslie stated that remaining silent would constitute a failure of the advisory board's duties. He acknowledged that some members might prefer he avoid direct criticism of the secretary. However, he argued that the hospital, often called the "house of hope," requires clear leadership on issues affecting its public perception.
The chair clarified that his objection does not target scientific inquiry into vaccine harms. Leslie stated that serious reactions are rare but real and that patients should be taken seriously. He maintained that the board has no concerns with studying potential injuries from vaccines.
Jonathan Green, the hospital's chief executive officer, supported Leslie's account from the board table. Green noted that the National Institutes of Health has researched vaccine safety and efficacy for decades. He described the new facility as just one more individual protocol within the existing research structure.
Green emphasized that the new clinic comes with no additional funding and no extra clinic space. The NIH already maintains a center that studies vaccine injuries. The new facility adds a specific point of care without expanding the institution's financial or physical footprint.
The remarks from both the board chair and the hospital CEO highlight a distinction between the high-profile launch event and the clinic's practical resources. Leslie framed the issue as one of institutional reputation, while Green presented the clinic as a modest addition to ongoing work.
Source: Ars Technica
