Millions spent by Biden on COVID 'vaccine hesitancy' campaign slashed by Trump NIH: report

Fox News - Mar 14th, 2025
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is preparing to terminate over 40 research grants related to vaccine hesitancy by the end of the month. This decision comes just four years after the Biden administration invested significantly in combating COVID-19 vaccine skepticism. An internal email revealed that these grants do not align with current NIH funding priorities, affecting various research activities focused on understanding and improving vaccine uptake. This development was highlighted by Dr. Marty Makary in response to inquiries about the Biden administration's actions in vaccine authorization processes.

The move to cancel these grants reflects a shift in priorities within federal health agencies, despite previous substantial investments to address misinformation. The report by Open the Books highlights that at least $267 million was previously spent on grants targeting misinformation, with significant funds aimed at minority communities to improve vaccine access and acceptance. The cancellation raises questions about the future focus of public health initiatives and how they will address ongoing vaccine skepticism, particularly as high-profile figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Elon Musk push for government efficiency and accountability in health-related funding.

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RATING

5.6
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of changes in government funding priorities related to vaccine hesitancy research. It addresses significant public interest issues, such as public health and government spending. However, the story's impact is limited by a lack of balanced perspectives and in-depth analysis. The reliance on a single source for key claims and the inclusion of unrelated information detract from its overall clarity and engagement potential. While the article has the potential to provoke debate and influence public opinion, it would benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of the topic, including diverse viewpoints and detailed explanations of the underlying issues.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the NIH's decision to cancel vaccine hesitancy research grants and the Biden administration's previous spending on combating misinformation. These claims align with reports from credible sources, but the article lacks direct evidence or citations for some assertions, such as the specific involvement of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the grant cancellations. The article accurately reports on the NIH's shift in funding priorities but fails to provide detailed explanations or corroborating evidence for some of the more contentious claims, such as the influence of the Trump administration on these decisions.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents a perspective that aligns with criticisms of the Biden administration's spending on vaccine hesitancy research. It lacks a balanced representation of viewpoints, particularly those that might support the previous administration's funding decisions or provide context for the NIH's current priorities. The story does not sufficiently explore the implications of the grant cancellations from the perspective of public health experts or the affected researchers, resulting in a skewed presentation that favors a critical stance towards the Biden administration.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, but it could benefit from improved logical flow and organization. The inclusion of unrelated information, such as the resignation of an FDA chief counsel and President Biden receiving a booster shot, detracts from the main narrative and may confuse readers. The story's tone is neutral, but the presentation of facts could be more coherent, with a clearer distinction between verified information and speculative claims.

7
Source quality

The article references credible sources such as The Washington Post and Open the Books, lending some authority to its claims. However, the reliance on a single internal email for significant assertions about the NIH's funding decisions raises questions about the depth of source material. The article would benefit from a broader range of sources, including statements or comments from the NIH, HHS, or independent experts to corroborate the claims made about the grant cancellations and funding priorities.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several areas, particularly in explaining the methodology behind its claims and the context for the NIH's funding decisions. There is no clear disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, and the basis for some of the more contentious claims, such as the influence of the Trump administration, is not well-explained. The lack of detailed background information or direct quotes from involved parties limits the reader's ability to fully understand the basis for the story's assertions.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/millions-spent-biden-covid-vaccine-hesitancy-campaign-slashed-trump-nih-report
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/multimillion-dollar-biden-era-covid-vax-project-halted-trumps-hhs
  3. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/nih-cancels-dozens-grants-vaccine-hesitancy-research-reports
  4. https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/missouri-v-biden-ruling.pdf
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8577882/