Yes, Ben Carson has publicly listed specific criticisms of the COVID-19 vaccines, primarily focusing on their use in children, unknown long-term effects, risk-benefit imbalances, natural immunity, mandates, and reported side effects. As a former pediatric neurosurgeon and Trump administration HUD Secretary (and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force), his comments evolved over time. Key Specific Criticisms
- "Giant experiment" and unknown long-term risks (especially for children): In 2021 interviews (e.g., with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business), he stated: "We don't know what the long-term impact of these vaccines is. So this is really, sort of a giant experiment. Do we want to put our children at risk when we know the risk of the disease to them is relatively small but we don't know what the future risks are? Why would we do a thing like that? It makes no sense whatsoever." He opposed vaccinating kids ages 5–11, comparing it unfavorably to flu risks and questioning aggressive measures for low-risk groups.
- Side effects data: More recently (around 2025 statements), he has claimed that "side effects from COVID vaccinations far exceeded anything else in the last 30 years combined," urging that COVID-era decisions not be "swept under the rug" and referencing Fauci's admissions on lack of science behind some policies.
- Natural immunity and mandates: He criticized overlooking natural immunity (which he said could reduce the need for universal vaccination) and opposed mandates as un-American or power-driven, arguing politicians were "drunk on power" and ignored alternatives.
- Changing risk-benefit over time: In a 2025 Q&A, he noted that early in the pandemic, vaccine risks were low relative to the virus, but as the virus became less virulent ("attenuated"), the vaccine's relative risk increased—advising individualized decisions with doctors.