The Political Scene | The New Yorker How MAHA Is Sowing Vaccine Confusion
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Sep 24, 2025 Dhruv Khullar, a contributing writer at The New Yorker and a practicing physician, dives into the chaotic landscape of vaccine policy in the U.S. under Donald Trump's second term. The discussion focuses on the politicization of vaccines, the role of newly appointed skeptics in federal health agencies, and how states are stepping up to fill the void left by the federal government. Khullar highlights the complexities of vaccine access, the impact of shifting guidelines on public trust, and the surprising pro-vaccine stance of some red states like West Virginia.
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Federal Guidance Has Lost Its Default Authority
- Federal health guidance is no longer a trusted default and that undermines clinician-patient communication.
- Dhruv Khullar says this forces states and societies to fill a large public-health void.
A Mixed ACIP Undermines Clarity
- RFK Jr. replaced ACIP members with a mix of credentialed figures and critics, creating murky legitimacy.
- Khullar warns the approach chips away at vaccine infrastructure gradually and corrosively.
ACIP Votes Shape Access And Coverage
- ACIP advises the CDC director and its recommendations shape public messaging and insurer coverage.
- Khullar stresses removing a recommendation can restrict access if insurers or programs stop covering a vaccine.