Are there randomized controlled trials for vaccines?

In the same hearing led by Senator Ron Johnson, Dr. Jake Scott showed a list of RCTs (randomized controlled trials) for vaccination over time. Anti-vaxxers disagree with this list. Aaron Siri claimed that out of the 661 vaccine trials cited, none were “true” placebo-controlled trials, leaving “zero clean, inert placebo-controlled studies” for the childhood schedule.

The list we have linked to above is clear and available for anyone to review. Lawyer Aaron Siri is likely hoping that people believe his analysis without reviewing it.

Saline placebo trials have been done for many vaccines, such as Rubella,  Pneumococcal disease, Hib, HPV, Polio (The Salk version), Measles, Tdap, and COVID-19. Sometimes a new vaccine is tested against an older vaccine, or the placebo may include an ingredient like an adjuvant or buffer that is already known to be safe.

The World Health Organization has rules for when it is ethical to use placebos in vaccine trials. It is allowed when no effective vaccine exists and the new one could help the people being studied.

Scientists agree that vaccine trials may use saline placebos, but sometimes they use another vaccine instead to keep participants safe.

Using placebos is not allowed when a safe and effective vaccine already exists in the country where a trial is planned. It would be wrong to keep that vaccine from participants if it could put their health at risk. The same is true with cancer treatment. You would not give patients nothing when a proven treatment is available. In trials, new treatments should be compared to the best current treatment, and patients should still be able to get the standard care instead of going without any treatment at all.