NIH Plans to Cancel Grants Focused on Vaccine Hesitancy Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is reportedly set to discontinue over 40 research grants aimed at investigating vaccine hesitancy within the month. This decision comes just four years after substantial federal funding was allocated to combat skepticism surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations.
Details of the Grant Terminations
According to an internal communication obtained by The Washington Post, the subject of the email was “required terminations — 3/10/25,” which indicated that a review process had determined that the listed awards did not meet NIH’s current funding priorities. As stated in the email, researchers will receive guidance instructing them “not to prioritize research activities that focuses on gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment.”
Historical Context of Funding for Vaccine Misinformation
This development unfolds against a backdrop of previous government initiatives that invested significantly in countering vaccine misinformation. A report from Open the Books, a government oversight organization, highlighted that at least $267 million was spent on research projects addressing “misinformation” or “disinformation” relating to COVID-19 vaccines from 2021 onwards. For instance, during February 2021 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allocated over $17 million to support organizations advocating for diverse populations impacted by vaccine hesitancy.
- UnidosUS received $3.2 million.
- The National Urban League was granted $2 million.
Implications of Grant Cancellations
The potential cancellation of these research grants raises questions about the future of efforts to understand and mitigate vaccine hesitancy. It remains unclear whether the decision is directly linked to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., especially considering the criticism leveled at past spending by the previous administration. It’s noteworthy that the Trump administration had often scrutinized the expenditures related to public health interventions aimed at countering misinformation.
Response from Government Officials
Since his Senate confirmation, Kennedy has re-focused policies on food regulation, healthcare access, and accountability for pharmaceutical companies, indicating a shift in priorities within the Department of Health and Human Services. The anticipated terminations, therefore, may reflect a broader re-evaluation of governmental strategies toward health communication.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from both the NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding this decision.
Conclusion
The NIH’s move to cancel these grants signals a significant change in the federal funding landscape related to vaccine hesitancy research, four years after heavy investments were made to counter misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations. This pivot could have lasting effects on public health research and outreach efforts aimed at understanding vaccine skepticism, particularly among minority communities.
A woman holds a mock-up vial labeled “Monkeypox vaccine” and medical syringe. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
