RFK Jr. dismantles ideological HHS grants targeting "vaccine hesitancy" -- signaling a new era of scientific integrity
By ljdevon // 2025-03-14
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In a bold move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. terminates NIH-funded studies aimed at manipulating public opinion on vaccines, prioritizing safety and transparency over ideological agendas. • RFK Jr. cancels 33 NIH grants focused on combating vaccine hesitancy, with nine others under review. • The move targets studies promoting vaccine compliance rather than investigating vaccine safety. • Critics argue the terminated grants were tools of propaganda, not science. • The decision reflects a broader shift toward purging corruption and bias from public health research. In a stunning rebuke of the World Health Organization and its financiers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has axed dozens of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants designed to stamp out so-called “vaccine hesitancy.” The move, which affects at least 33 research projects, signals a seismic shift in how the federal government approaches public health, prioritizing genuine scientific inquiry over ideological manipulation. The terminated grants, many of which focused on “vaccine messaging strategies” and “barriers to vaccine uptake,” were widely criticized as thinly veiled propaganda campaigns. Instead of investigating the safety and efficacy of vaccines, these studies sought to engineer public compliance through psychological manipulation and censorship. For example, one grant aimed to “test vaccine messaging strategies for people with mental health disorders,” while another sought to combat “misinformation and disinformation” — code for silencing dissenting voices.

A history of corruption and coercion

The NIH’s approach to vaccine research has long been marred by corruption and conflicts of interest. Pharmaceutical companies, shielded by blanket legal immunity, have rigged studies, suppressed unfavorable data, and colluded with regulators to fast-track unsafe products to market. The COVID-19 vaccines, rushed through under Operation Warp Speed, are a glaring example. Despite mounting evidence of adverse effects, including myocarditis, blood clots, and autoimmune disorders, public health authorities have doubled down on their narrative, dismissing concerns as “misinformation” and punishing those who dare to question the official line. RFK Jr.’s decision to terminate these grants is a direct challenge to this corrupt system. By defunding studies that prioritize compliance over safety, he is forcing the NIH to confront its own biases and restore public trust in science. As one source familiar with the situation told Science.org, the move is part of a broader effort to align NIH research with policies backed by President Donald Trump and RFK Jr. — policies that prioritize transparency, accountability, and individual freedom.

The silencing of dissent

Critics of the terminated grants argue that they were never about science in the first place. “Ceasing to support research on the uptake of safe and effective vaccines does not eliminate the underlying challenges related to low vaccine uptake — it exacerbates them,” said Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at the City University of New York whose grant is on the chopping block. But Nash’s claim rings hollow in light of the evidence. The real goal of these studies was not to address vaccine hesitancy but to suppress it. By framing skepticism as a mental health issue or a product of “misinformation,” researchers sought to pathologize dissent and justify draconian measures like censorship, de-platforming, and financial sanctions. In Canada, for example, truckers who questioned vaccine mandates had their bank accounts frozen — a chilling reminder of how far governments are willing to go to enforce compliance.

A new era of scientific integrity

RFK Jr.’s decision to terminate these grants is a watershed moment in the fight for scientific integrity. For too long, the NIH has served as a mouthpiece for the pharmaceutical industry, rubber-stamping unsafe products and silencing critics. By defunding studies that prioritize compliance over safety, RFK Jr. is sending a clear message: the era of ideological narratives parading as science is over. But the battle is far from won. The pharmaceutical industry, with its deep pockets and powerful allies, will not go down without a fight. Already, critics are accusing RFK Jr. of “undermining public health” and “endangering lives.” But as the evidence mounts — from the SV40 promoters in mRNA vaccines to the alarming rise in adverse events — it is clear that the real danger lies in continuing to ignore the truth. As RFK Jr. reshapes the NIH, one question looms large: can public trust in vaccines be restored? The answer, perhaps, lies in the words of Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” In a free society, individuals must be allowed to make informed decisions based on transparent data, not coerced into compliance through propaganda and fear. Sources include: TheDailyBell.com Substack.com Science.org
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