Amanda Prestigiacomo

The NIH is terminating or scaling back more than 40 grants aimed at understanding vaccine hesitancy and boosting acceptance. The Washington Post reports that the decision follows a directive that such research no longer aligns with NIH funding priorities. The Health and Human Services Agency is now run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though it's not clear if he issued the order.

NIH and HHS have yet to comment on the funding cut. The news follows Kennedy directing the CDC to study any possible link between vaccines and autism.

NIH and HHS have yet to comment on the funding cut. The news follows Kennedy directing the CDC to study any possible link between vaccines and autism.

Hey, John. Yeah, so Kennedy said that this outbreak in Texas must elicit a call to action for all of us to affirm our commitment to public health. Now, there have been a total of 159 confirmed cases of measles in the state since late January, 22 people have been hospitalized, and there's been one death of a school-aged child.

Hey, John. Yeah, so Kennedy said that this outbreak in Texas must elicit a call to action for all of us to affirm our commitment to public health. Now, there have been a total of 159 confirmed cases of measles in the state since late January, 22 people have been hospitalized, and there's been one death of a school-aged child.

Most of these infections have impacted children in the Mennonite population. Now, specifically, Kennedy said in the op-ed that he's harnessing HHS to support Texas communities and the state health department by making the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR vaccine readily available. HHS has sent 2,000 doses of the vaccine to West Texas.

Most of these infections have impacted children in the Mennonite population. Now, specifically, Kennedy said in the op-ed that he's harnessing HHS to support Texas communities and the state health department by making the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR vaccine readily available. HHS has sent 2,000 doses of the vaccine to West Texas.

Kennedy also said that he's focused on educating parents on treatments post-infection and nutrition. Here's the secretary on Fox News.

Kennedy also said that he's focused on educating parents on treatments post-infection and nutrition. Here's the secretary on Fox News.

Now, as you noted, Kennedy's op-ed caused a bit of a firestorm online and reactions were all over the place. Some folks on the left said RFK wasn't pushing the MMR vaccine enough, while others on the right said that Kennedy's push for the vaccine felt like a betrayal. But taking the temperature of the Maha movement leaders, they seem to think that RFK's op-ed was actually in line with their cause.

Now, as you noted, Kennedy's op-ed caused a bit of a firestorm online and reactions were all over the place. Some folks on the left said RFK wasn't pushing the MMR vaccine enough, while others on the right said that Kennedy's push for the vaccine felt like a betrayal. But taking the temperature of the Maha movement leaders, they seem to think that RFK's op-ed was actually in line with their cause.

allowing parents the accessibility and option for vaccination, while also expanding guidance on treatment and emphasizing the need for a healthy diet to protect against most chronic and infectious illnesses.

allowing parents the accessibility and option for vaccination, while also expanding guidance on treatment and emphasizing the need for a healthy diet to protect against most chronic and infectious illnesses.

Yes, a lot going on here. So Kennedy has indicated that he'll effectively be reviewing the childhood vaccination schedule. As the head of the Maha Commission, Kennedy said he'll investigate vaccines as well as pesticides, food additives, microplastics, and antidepressants to see if they contribute to the rise of chronic illness.

Yes, a lot going on here. So Kennedy has indicated that he'll effectively be reviewing the childhood vaccination schedule. As the head of the Maha Commission, Kennedy said he'll investigate vaccines as well as pesticides, food additives, microplastics, and antidepressants to see if they contribute to the rise of chronic illness.

RFK has also halted the CDC's wild-to-mild campaign promoting the flu vaccination. Kennedy said he wants advertisements going forward to promote the idea of informed consent in vaccine decision-making. That would include giving people more information about the adverse effects associated with vaccines.

RFK has also halted the CDC's wild-to-mild campaign promoting the flu vaccination. Kennedy said he wants advertisements going forward to promote the idea of informed consent in vaccine decision-making. That would include giving people more information about the adverse effects associated with vaccines.

Also, citing conflicts of interest, Kennedy is preparing to remove several members of the external committee that advises the FDA and CDC on vaccine approvals and other key public health decisions. Recommendations from that committee, known as the ACIP, they're almost always followed by HHS, so that could impact the childhood vaccination schedule as well.

Also, citing conflicts of interest, Kennedy is preparing to remove several members of the external committee that advises the FDA and CDC on vaccine approvals and other key public health decisions. Recommendations from that committee, known as the ACIP, they're almost always followed by HHS, so that could impact the childhood vaccination schedule as well.

RFK has postponed the ACIP's first panel to, quote, accommodate public comment in advance of that meeting.