Senators grill Trump’s NIH nominee on vaccines and funding
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Trump's nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), faced intense questioning from senators during his confirmation hearing on March 5, 2025. The hearing focused primarily on two key issues:
vaccine skepticism and NIH funding cuts12.
Vaccine Concerns
Senators pressed Bhattacharya on the growing vaccine skepticism, particularly in light of a recent measles outbreak that resulted in a child's death in Texas1. While Bhattacharya expressed support for childhood vaccinations, he suggested that additional research might help convince skeptical parents1. This stance was met with frustration from some senators, who argued that revisiting debunked theories about vaccine safety would waste valuable research resources12.
Funding Cuts and Research Priorities
A major point of contention during the hearing was the recent NIH funding freeze ordered by the Trump administration, which has stalled grant applications worth $1.5 billion for various disease research projects2. Senators from both parties expressed concern about how these cuts and mass firings at the NIH could impact the development of new treatments and cures1.
Bhattacharya, who was not involved in the recent funding decisions, stated that if confirmed, he would ensure NIH scientists have the resources they need to conduct their work12. He emphasized his priorities for the agency, including:
- Focusing on chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity
- Supporting early-career scientists
- Addressing the high cost of prescription drugs through research into affordable treatment options
- Restoring public trust in science by allowing for more scientific dissent12
Scientific Integrity and Public Trust
Bhattacharya argued that suppressing alternative viewpoints during the COVID-19 pandemic damaged public trust in science2. He advocated for restructuring the NIH to allow for more scientific dissent and promised to provide robust data to address vaccine safety concerns2.
The nominee's background as a co-author of the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, which criticized COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine policies, was also discussed during the hearing12.
As the confirmation process continues, senators will weigh Bhattacharya's vision for the NIH against concerns about funding, vaccine skepticism, and the agency's future direction in biomedical research.
Sources:
1. https://www.thealbertan.com/lifestyle/trump-nominee-to-lead-national-institutes-of-health-questioned-on-funding-cuts-vaccines-10324756
2. https://www.ajmc.com/view/senate-questions-nih-nominee-on-funding-transparency-and-covid-19-impact