The Brian Lehrer Show HHS & mRNA Vaccines Research Cuts
Aug 12, 2025
Michael Osterholm, Director of CIDRAP and author of The Big One, shares insights on recent cuts to mRNA vaccine funding and their implications for public health. He emphasizes the critical role of mRNA technology beyond COVID-19, discusses the troubling impact of misinformation on vaccine perceptions, and highlights the need for scientific integrity in vaccination efforts. Osterholm also initiates the Vaccine Integrity Project to enhance public understanding of vaccine efficacy, analyzing extensive research data to combat skepticism.
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How mRNA Vaccines Work
- mRNA vaccines create a short-lived, temporary factory inside cells to produce viral parts that trigger immunity.
- This mechanism enables rapid, large-scale vaccine production useful for pandemics.
mRNA's Pandemic Advantage
- mRNA tech could enable much faster global vaccination in an influenza pandemic versus egg-based methods.
- Osterholm says mRNA may allow vaccinating a large part of the world within the first year of a severe flu pandemic.
Invest In Preemptive Vaccine Research
- Continue fundamental research to improve mRNA vaccines, like lowering antigen doses to reduce side effects.
- Do this upfront so vaccines are ready and optimized before a pandemic emerges.
