Federal agencies request 18-month delay on processing FOIA related to COVID-19 vaccine injuries

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has informed the court that it requires at least 18 months to process a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from John Solomon, the founder of Just the News. Solomon is seeking expedited processing of his lawsuit aimed at disclosing records related to COVID-19 vaccine reactions from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The request pertains to data from a nonpublic system linked to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

In a recent motion, HHS stated that it cannot reallocate FOIA resources to the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research due to current demands and ongoing legal obligations. Solomon's lawsuit, filed in February in collaboration with America First Legal, highlights concerns over the lack of transparency regarding vaccine safety data.

The FDA is reportedly facing an influx of FOIA requests, with an 11 percent increase in fiscal year 2023 compared to the previous year. The agency emphasized that training and expertise are required for effective processing of such requests, indicating that it is impractical to divert resources from its primary health protection functions. The situation raises questions about the capacity of federal agencies to manage FOIA requests efficiently while addressing public health needs.