There is no doubt that the new administration has made questionable decisions for the country. The 2016 administration was only a sneak peek at what was to come. Although Project 2025 was far-fetched for many during the 2025 election, it has taken hold across the country. Besides the outrageous war on DEI, the current administration has done things once unimaginable, a key event being appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Unfortunately, this unhinged choice has had a detrimental impact on people.

The first of his choices included cancelling funding for scientific research and cutting thousands of jobs. His unfounded comment on Tylenol’s “dangerous” effects on the fetus during pregnancy was a laughable one for many people, leading to jokes and mockery on social media. He has since used his authority to discredit the efficacy and importance of vaccines. As reasonable as some of his comments may be, such as his advice for Americans to eat healthier and exercise, the majority of his statements contain inaccuracies, ridiculous assumptions and confusing rhetoric. These statements are so polarized that they are raising concerns among public health experts and doctors alike. Even after spending several years ensuring that vaccine research would stay funded and promising to ensure vaccine research during his confirmation process, he began a coordinated attack on vaccine science.

He publicly stated that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. This received backlash from the scientific and medical community, which could not find evidence to back his claim. He went a step further and fired the entire CDC vaccine committee and installed his own members, who are largely opposed to vaccines. The new group has made more than just shocking decisions, such as advocating against the COVID-19 vaccination and going against vaccination guidelines for newborns that include a combination shot to prevent chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella. These decisions have impacted people heavily. For example, a couple in Texas took this statement and chose not to vaccinate their kid against measles. Unfortunately, their newborn contracted measles and died.

The war against vaccine science is not something new. Time and time again, vaccines have faced scrutiny from both public figures and everyday people alike. Ever since the COVID vaccine was introduced, people have been skeptical of receiving it despite professional opinion advocating for it. Being a skeptic is not the problem. In fact, it is good practice to investigate anything before taking it at face value. I would, however, like to remind people who so strongly denounce scientific research that research done on vaccine efficacy is extremely arduous and labor intensive. It is not in the best interest of researchers to make baseless statements. The amount of resources and time research requires is for a reason. Additionally, doctors and scientists who have spent years educating themselves to understand the mechanisms of disease do so to ensure better health for as many people as possible. Is it true that vaccines can give people adverse reactions? Yes. Is it likely? No. That being said, I would encourage people to do their own research at a time when misinformation is rampant. By doing your own research, you should be able to understand ideas in context and statistical significance. It is easy to take the words of influencers, but it is not significantly more difficult to assess details carefully on your own. With an administration such as the current one, it is crucial to pay attention to what is changing in the world around you, especially in science, which is all about investigative exploration and evidence-based reasoning.