The director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently stated that funding for mRNA vaccine development is being cut due to a lack of public trust. However, critics argue that this approach is misguided and fails to acknowledge the critical role mRNA vaccines played in saving millions of lives during the pandemic.
Former NIH director Jeremy Berg accused Jay Bhattacharya, who wrote an op-ed defending the decision, of sowing doubts about public health institutions and undermining vaccine effectiveness. Experts say that the Covid-19 vaccines have been proven effective and safe, with a 95% efficacy rate in FDA trials.
Bhattacharya’s comments were widely criticized by experts, including Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center, who said that the question is not whether the vaccines gained public trust, but whether they work. Dr. Howard, a physician, described Bhattacharya’s approach as spreading disinformation and undermining vaccine safety.
Critics argue that Bhattacharya’s views on mRNA vaccines are driven by his own anti-vaccine stance and that his comments ignore the role of leadership and influencers in eroding public trust. Experts warn that this trend may lead to policy changes that harm vaccine development and public health efforts.
The NIH did not respond to requests for comment, fueling concerns about the organization’s stance on mRNA vaccines. As experts worry about the impact of Bhattacharya’s comments, they call for a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/15/jay-bhattacharya-mrna-vaccines