Goldberg: Trump’s vaccine legacy at risk from own camp
In a recent statement, President Trump reaffirmed his support for vaccines, declaring, “You have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work. They’re not controversial at all.” This assertion comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made decisions that limit access to certain vaccines, potentially complicating the national dialogue surrounding these crucial public health tools. Throughout his presidency, Trump has consistently recognized vaccines as a vital defense against disease while advocating for individual freedom regarding vaccination choices. He has emphasized the importance of informed decision-making, allowing families to consult with their healthcare providers on vaccination matters.
Trump’s history with vaccines is rooted in his personal experiences, particularly with the polio vaccine, which he credits with saving countless lives and eradicating a disease that once paralyzed thousands of Americans annually. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through Operation Warp Speed, marked a significant achievement in vaccine development, delivering effective vaccines in under a year—a feat he termed a “medical miracle.” Recent research has underscored the benefits of these vaccines, revealing that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can enhance cancer treatment outcomes, effectively activating the immune system to combat tumors. This finding reinforces Trump’s belief that scientific advancement and personal freedom can coexist, advocating for vaccine access without imposing mandates.
However, the current climate is fraught with misinformation, particularly from figures like Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have raised concerns about vaccine safety. Trump’s message stands in stark contrast, promoting a narrative where science and individual liberty work hand in hand to foster public health. He argues that a government that trusts its citizens encourages responsible health choices, which is essential for the continued progress of medical innovation. In a landscape often clouded by fear and skepticism, Trump’s insistence that vaccines are effective and that individuals should have the autonomy to choose their health paths is a call to action for both public trust and scientific integrity. As we navigate these complex issues, the interplay of freedom and science remains critical in safeguarding public health and advancing medical breakthroughs.
“You have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work. They’re not controversial at all.”
That recent remark from President Trump might have surprised some, given the recent decisions at HHS to limit access to certain vaccines — moves that have muddied the national conversation about these life-saving medical tools.
But the president’s record is clear. From the start, he’s recognized vaccines as a key line of defense in protecting public health — while maintaining that Americans should have the freedom to decide whether to use them. He’s long supported both access and informed choice, ensuring families can make science-based vaccination decisions in consultation with their doctors.
Time and again, President Trump has hailed vaccines as one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Last year, he praised the polio vaccine, which virtually eliminated a disease that once claimed the lives of over 1,800 Americans and paralyzed another 16,300 every year. Born nine years before the first polio vaccine, the president remembers the fear that gripped families as outbreaks spread during his early childhood — and has spoken of friends who were affected. As he noted, the “moment they took that vaccine, it ended.”
Just as earlier generations conquered polio, President Trump faced a once-in-a-lifetime test of scientific and political resolve during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Operation Warp Speed, President Trump led the single most ambitious vaccine development effort in American history, helping to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the public faster than anyone thought possible.
Vaccine development can typically take between 10 and 15 years. With President Trump at the helm, the United States secured a COVID-19 vaccine in less than one — an extraordinary accomplishment he rightly regarded as a “medical miracle.”
That landmark achievement continues to pay off. In a recent analysis of nearly 1,000 people with lung or skin cancer, researchers found that those who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines had a median survival almost double that of those who weren’t COVID-19 vaccinated. They described the vaccine as acting like a “siren,” activating the entire body’s immune system to recognize and attack tumors — a promising lead in the fight against cancer.
This medical breakthrough affirms the larger principle at the heart of President Trump’s leadership — freedom and science can advance together. He’s been equally clear that deciding whether to be vaccinated should remain a decision made with one’s doctor — not dictated by Washington. That’s precisely why he’s opposed to COVID vaccine mandates. People are more likely to accept public health guidance when they feel informed and respected, rather than coerced.
Choice and access go hand in hand. Americans who want vaccines shouldn’t face barriers to getting them. Pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals need to be stocked and staffed so that parents can protect their children and adults can safeguard themselves and their families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that routine childhood vaccines prevented more than one million deaths and 500 million illnesses among children born between 1994 and 2023. Those who want that protection should always have access to it.
Trump’s message is straightforward and consistent: science and freedom aren’t opposites — they’re complementary. A government that trusts its citizens encourages responsible choices and real progress. His approach empowered scientists to innovate at warp speed and empowered Americans to decide what’s right for themselves.
Unfortunately, figures like Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threaten to undermine that legacy — spreading fear and misinformation about vaccines and mRNA science that endanger public trust and progress alike. While President Trump champions both innovation and individual choice, Kennedy’s attacks risk turning back the clock on medical advances.
In a time when misinformation and political theater often drown out facts, President Trump’s message matters more than ever. Vaccines work. Freedom works. Together, they’re saving lives — and proving that America thrives when we lead with both science and liberty.
Robert Goldberg, PhD, is co-founder and vice president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.
