Today, Explained The future of vaccines
53 snips
Aug 26, 2025 
Lauren Weber, a health and science accountability reporter for The Washington Post, and Catherine Wu, a staff writer at The Atlantic focused on vaccines, dive into the world of vaccine discourse. They discuss the historic rapid development of COVID vaccines and the political maneuvers that threaten future accessibility. The ongoing battle against misinformation and rising vaccine hesitancy is highlighted, revealing the potential impacts on public health. The episode also critiques anti-vaccine activism, emphasizing the need for investment in ongoing vaccine development.
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Samoa Visit Before Deadly Outbreak
- RFK Jr. traveled to Samoa to warn about vaccinations before a measles outbreak.
- Later that year, 83 Samoans died in a measles outbreak after his visit.
Major Funding Cuts To mRNA Development
- RFK Jr. canceled roughly $500 million in BARDA grants for mRNA vaccine development.
- This move undercuts future mRNA work beyond COVID and shrinks U.S. support for global vaccine R&D.
Science Unchanged, Narrative Rewritten
- The scientific data showing COVID mRNA vaccines are safe and effective has not changed since their rollout.
- Political messaging now casts doubt despite the original rigorous vetting and demonstrated lives saved.