Goldberg: Trump’s vaccine legacy at risk from own camp
In a recent statement, President Trump reaffirmed his belief in the efficacy of vaccines, declaring, “You have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work.” This assertion comes amid a backdrop of increasing controversy and confusion surrounding vaccine access, particularly with recent decisions made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that limit certain vaccine options. Despite these challenges, Trump has consistently championed vaccines as a cornerstone of public health, advocating for both access and the right of individuals to make informed choices about their health care. He emphasizes that vaccination decisions should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, not dictated by government mandates.
Historically, Trump has celebrated vaccines as monumental achievements in modern medicine, citing the polio vaccine as a prime example. He recalls the fear of polio outbreaks during his childhood, noting how the vaccine transformed public health by virtually eradicating the disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump led Operation Warp Speed, an unprecedented initiative that accelerated the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, achieving what he termed a “medical miracle” by delivering a safe vaccine in less than a year. This rapid development has had significant implications, with recent studies indicating that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may enhance cancer survival rates, showcasing the broader benefits of vaccines beyond their initial purpose.
Trump’s advocacy for vaccines is rooted in the belief that science and personal freedom can coexist harmoniously. He argues that Americans should have unrestricted access to vaccines, as evidenced by the CDC’s estimates that routine childhood vaccinations have prevented over one million deaths and 500 million illnesses among children born in the past three decades. However, figures like Secretary of HHS Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pose a threat to this public trust by spreading misinformation about vaccines and mRNA technology. In a climate where misinformation can undermine public health efforts, Trump’s consistent message underscores the importance of balancing scientific advancements with individual liberties. His approach suggests that when citizens are empowered to make informed choices, public health initiatives can thrive, ultimately saving lives and promoting a healthier society.
“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.
