A researcher’s grant to explore the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine has been terminated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), amid a sweeping approach to halt vaccine research. Nisha Acharya, who had received a five-year grant worth over $600,000, was informed that her project did not align with agency priorities.
Acharya’s work aimed to investigate how well the shingles vaccine prevents eye complications and whether it can help identify new age groups or individuals who may be harmed by vaccination. Her team had found disparities in vaccine uptake among certain demographic groups and discovered that the shingles shot was associated with a decreased risk of dementia.
The NIH terminated Acharya’s grant, stating that it did not focus on “gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment.” However, Acharya argued that her work did exactly that by exploring the safety and efficacy of the shingles vaccine in real-world settings.
The NIH has been criticized for its opaque system in terminating grants without input from scientists. Several hundred grants have been terminated since the start of the second Trump administration, citing a shift in agency priorities. The termination of Acharya’s grant highlights concerns about the impact of executive orders on scientific research and the importance of protecting researchers’ work.
Acharya’s study found that doctors’ caution in recommending the vaccine to patients with a history of shingles in the eye may be warranted. Her work has shed light on the potential benefits and harms of vaccination, particularly for vulnerable populations. The termination of her grant raises questions about the agency’s priorities and the future of scientific research in this area.
The NIH did not respond to requests for comment on Acharya losing her grant, leaving many to wonder what implications this decision will have for vaccine research and public health.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/15/vaccine-hesitancy-nih-grant-money-canceled-shingles