Radio Atlantic Welcome to the Vaccine Free-for-All
15 snips
Sep 4, 2025 
Katie Wu, a science writer at The Atlantic, delves into the chaotic landscape of vaccine politics as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disrupts national vaccine policies. She discusses how states like California and Oregon are rallying for unified vaccine approaches, while Florida's shocking reversal of mandates ignites controversy. The conversation reveals the uphill battle to restore public trust in vaccines and the fragmented infrastructure still grappling with political influences. Wu emphasizes the need for clear, evidence-based practices in a turbulent health environment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Vaccine Pipeline Is Being Dismantled
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s team is actively dismantling the vaccine pipeline rather than just changing a schedule.
- That fracturing threatens future vaccine development, approval, recommendation, and access.
COVID Restriction As A Precedent
- Restricting COVID vaccine recommendations for most people reduces access and raises vulnerability to illness.
- Such moves set precedent for restricting other vaccines and normalize pulling recommendations back.
Fragmented State-Level Vaccine Policies
- States and professional societies are splitting from the federal government on vaccine guidance.
- This patchwork will increase confusion and make public-health protections inconsistent nationwide.