Trump's ex-surgeon general says "people are going to die" after RFK Jr. cuts mRNA vaccine funding
The Legacy of Jerome Adams and Its Impact on mRNA Vaccine FundingIn an article written in 2016, former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, ex-Surgeon General of President George W. Bush, criticized former President Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) for closing the CDC's research facility at a federal agency in New York City in response to a deadly shooting at the agency that year. Adams' argument was that by failing to develop mRNA vaccines, he believed people would die from diseases worse than COVID-19.
Adams' perspective on this decision led to significant public discussion and ultimately shaped his views on vaccine funding priorities. He argued that mRNA vaccines were already effective for some conditions like diabetes but insufficiently tested for COVID-19, leading many to believe their safety was questionable. Adams expressed the belief that without mRNA research, people would face higher deaths from both COVID-19 and other diseases.
However, Adams later criticized RFK's decision in 2023 when he closed the CDC's vaccine research facility at a federal agency due to a mistake of not testing out mRNA vaccines for something else—perhaps leading to confusion about whether it was for COVID-19 or another condition. Adams referred to this as an attempt to stifle research and push the mRNA route instead of exploring other possible treatments that could lead to better outcomes.
This incident underscores the importance of investing in both vaccines and other treatments for COVID-19 prevention and control. Adams' comments have been used by political figures, including Barack Obama, to argue about vaccine safety and research priorities. His views have sparked debates over whether more resources should go toward developing mRNA vaccines or exploring alternative treatments that could lead to better outcomes.
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