NIH to Terminate Over 40 Grants on Vaccine Hesitancy Research Amid Policy Shift Linked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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Updated Mar 11, 2025, 05:20 PM

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is set to terminate or limit over 40 research grants focused on vaccine hesitancy and strategies to improve vaccine uptake. This decision arises from a shift in funding priorities, as indicated by an internal email. The NIH's new policy explicitly states that it will not prioritize research aimed at understanding why individuals are hesitant to receive vaccines or exploring ways to enhance vaccine interest and commitment. The move has been linked to the recent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, although it remains unclear if he directly influenced this policy change. The NIH's decision has drawn criticism, with experts arguing that understanding vaccine hesitancy is crucial for public health efforts.

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#National Institutes of Health #NIH #Health #Human Services

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Sources

washingtonpost.com(6)science.org(5)bostonglobe.com nature.com

Amesh Adalja

@AmeshAA

“It was problematic for the country’s top public health official to not more aggressively endorse vaccination amid the current outbreak.” https://t.co/C8cE7mkJ3w

News from Science

@NewsfromScience

The National Institutes of Health is centralizing its system for vetting research proposals. Starting later this year, its Center for Scientific Review will take over all reviewing responsibilities from the multiple bodies now involved. https://t.co/gtTjFRlpoQ

Nicolas Berrod

@nicolasberrod

Today's news: @NIH are cancelling or reducing dozens of grants for research on vaccine hesitancy. “Preventing people from dying should be a goal, and vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to that goal.” https://t.co/a0kWrVIR6Z https://t.co/tLxUOkxi3D