A statewide grand jury in Florida, convened at the request of Governor Ron DeSantis to investigate potential wrongdoing related to COVID-19 vaccines, has concluded that no criminal activity was found. The report, unsealed on Tuesday, noted that while no indictable crimes were identified, significant issues were uncovered regarding vaccine development and safety surveillance in the United States.
The grand jury’s final report acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that while criminal activity was not found, there were profound concerns regarding the vaccine process. As a result, the grand jury recommended policy changes, including greater transparency in clinical trials and a ban on pharmaceutical drug advertisements.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has consistently stated that the COVID-19 vaccines underwent rigorous safety evaluations, with continuous monitoring after FDA approval to ensure they meet federal safety and efficacy standards. According to federal officials and public health experts, while no vaccine is without risk, COVID-19 vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Serious side effects are rare.
DeSantis had called for the investigation in 2022, shortly before launching his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. His request for the probe aligned with his stance against pandemic lockdowns and mask mandates, as well as his desire to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for potential vaccine side effects.
A spokesperson for Governor DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the findings. Statewide grand juries in Florida, typically composed of 18 members, are authorized to investigate criminal activity, examine systemic issues, and propose recommendations. In recent years, such panels have investigated topics such as immigration and school safety.
