The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it is reviving a long-defunct task force on the safety of childhood vaccines, responding to a demand from the anti-vaccine organization founded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a statement Thursday, the HHS said the task force will focus on the development and promotion of childhood vaccines “that result in fewer and less serious adverse reactions than those vaccines currently on the market.”

The panel will also work on improving the reporting of adverse reactions and supporting research on vaccine safety, according to the HHS.

The task force was first required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, which also required the HHS secretary to provide Congress with progress reports every two years.

The task force will be composed of senior leadership from across federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will serve as chair.

"By reinstating this Task Force, we are reaffirming our commitment to rigorous science, continuous improvement, and the trust of American families," Bhattacharya said in a statement. "NIH is proud to lead........

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