NIH Reportedly Terminating Vaccine Hesitancy Research Grants
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is reportedly planning to terminate dozens of research grants related to vaccine hesitancy by the end of March 2025. This decision comes just four years after the Biden administration invested millions of dollars into combating COVID-19 vaccine skepticism.
An internal email obtained by The Washington Post revealed that the agency received a list of awards requiring termination due to their misalignment with current NIH funding priorities regarding vaccine hesitancy and uptake. Over 40 grants are reportedly on the chopping block. Researchers receiving termination notices are instructed not to prioritize research activities focused on understanding vaccine hesitancy or exploring ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment.
This news follows the Biden administration's significant investment in combating "misinformation," particularly related to the COVID-19 vaccine, in 2021. A government watchdog report found that at least $267 million was spent on research grants and contracts related to "misinformation" or "disinformation."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allocated over $17 million in February 2021 to 15 organizations advocating for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations. Progressive groups UnidosUS and National Urban League received $3.2 million and $2 million, respectively.
While the reason for the grant cancellations remains unclear, it coincides with the Trump administration's criticism of the previous administration's spending and Elon Musk's efforts to reduce government spending. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has been focusing on reforming food policies, expanding healthcare coverage, and holding big pharmaceutical companies accountable since his Senate confirmation.
7 Comments
Marishka
This is a decision that will make America great again. We need to get our government out of the business of healthcare and let individuals and the private sector take the lead.
Pupsik
This is a decision that will improve public health. By removing government barriers, we can encourage innovation and allow individuals to find the best health solutions for them.
Marishka
This is a decision that will restore America's greatness. We need to return to the principles of freedom and individual liberty that made this country great.
Pupsik
This is a step toward a dangerous future where public health decisions are made based on politics, not science. We must not let that happen.
Marishka
This is a step backward for science and reason. We must continue to invest in research that helps us understand and overcome the challenges of vaccine hesitancy.
Habibi
This is a betrayal of the public trust. The American people deserve to know why this research is being cancelled.
Mariposa
This is a decision that will save lives. Less government involvement in public health means we can focus on individual solutions that work.