Goldberg: Trump’s vaccine legacy at risk from own camp
In a recent statement, President Trump emphasized the effectiveness of vaccines, declaring, “You have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work.” This assertion comes at a time when the national discourse surrounding vaccines has been muddled by recent decisions from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to limit access to certain vaccines. Despite these developments, President Trump has consistently recognized vaccines as a critical component of public health, advocating for both access and the freedom for individuals to make informed choices regarding their vaccination status. He has always maintained that families should consult with their healthcare providers to make science-based decisions about vaccinations.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has celebrated vaccines as monumental achievements in modern medicine. He often recalls the polio vaccine’s success, which virtually eradicated a disease that once devastated countless American families. His personal memories of the fear surrounding polio outbreaks during his childhood underscore his belief in the power of vaccines. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump spearheaded Operation Warp Speed, an unprecedented initiative that expedited vaccine development, delivering COVID-19 vaccines to the public in less than a year—a feat he dubbed a “medical miracle.” Recent research has even indicated that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may enhance cancer treatment outcomes, demonstrating the broader potential of vaccines in advancing public health.
Trump’s stance on vaccines is rooted in the principle that science and personal freedom can coexist. He opposes vaccine mandates, advocating instead for a model where individuals make vaccination choices in consultation with their doctors. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of informed consent and public trust in healthcare decisions. However, the current climate has seen figures like HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spreading misinformation about vaccines, which threatens to undermine public confidence and progress in medical advancements. As misinformation proliferates, Trump’s message—that vaccines work and that freedom is essential to public health—becomes increasingly vital. By fostering a culture of trust and informed choice, America can continue to thrive, leveraging both scientific innovation and individual liberty to save lives.
“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.
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