The Trump administration could move to withdraw COVID-19 vaccines from the US market “within months,” one of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s close advisers told The Daily Beast.Dr Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist and outspoken vaccine critic, said Kennedy’s views on mRNA vaccines are backed by “influential” members of President Donald Trump’s inner circle. Neither Kennedy nor Trump family members hold scientific qualifications.Malhotra, who advises the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Action group tied to Kennedy’s health agenda, said the decision could come in stages as federal reviews continue into what he described as “vaccine injuries.”“It could [happen] in a number of stages, including learning more about the data,” Malhotra told The Daily Beast. “But given the increased talk of vaccine injuries in the past few weeks among the administration, it could also come with one clean decision.”He cited a 2022 paper published in Vaccine that suggested a higher risk of adverse events among recipients of mRNA vaccines. The study, however, has been widely disputed by public health experts, who argue it exaggerates risks and underplays the benefits of COVID-19 immunisation.Malhotra has become a trusted figure within Kennedy’s circle. He said his work first drew RFK Jr’s attention in 2022 and that the two have since built a personal relationship, including fundraising together during Kennedy’s presidential run.Malhotra is expected to meet Trump directly in September to further press his case against the vaccines. “I think [Trump will] get it, because it’s in his interest to,” Malhotra told The Daily Beast, arguing that Trump could leave a “lasting legacy” by removing the vaccines.Story continues below this adThe speculation comes after Kennedy, now serving as Health and Human Services Secretary, cancelled $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development. He has described the COVID-19 shot as “the deadliest vaccine ever made,” citing risks such as myocarditis, despite the CDC and FDA maintaining that the vaccines are safe and effective.The controversy deepened earlier this month after an anti-vaccine extremist opened fire at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), killing a police officer. Investigators believe the attack was motivated by hatred of the COVID-19 vaccine.Also Read: | Trump’s attorney general drops fraud case tied to Covid vaccinationsIn the aftermath, more than 750 current and former staff members of the CDC, HHS, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) signed a letter accusing Kennedy of spreading misinformation and endangering public health.“HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, is complicit in dismantling America’s public health infrastructure and endangering the nation’s health,” they wrote.Story continues below this adHHS responded that Kennedy had traveled to Atlanta to support CDC employees after the shooting, rejecting any link between his policies and the violence.Asked about Malhotra’s claims, the White House dismissed them as speculation. “The Administration is relying on Gold Standard Science and is committed to radical transparency to make decisions that affect all Americans,” spokesman Kush Desai said.“Unless announced by the Administration, however, any discussion about HHS policy should be dismissed as baseless speculation.”(With inputs from The Daily Beast)