Trump Administration Cancels Black Community Vaccine Study Before Results Analyzed

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A pediatrician examines a young Black patient during a routine checkup at a community health clinic.
Dr. Joshua Williams, a pediatrician whose federal funding for a vaccine awareness program was cut, examines 12-year-old patient Tiovian Darden in Denver on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)
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According to the , a federally funded vaccine awareness study focused on a Black community was abruptly canceled by the before researchers could analyze its results.

Pediatrician Dr. Joshua Williams led the project, which featured videos of local families sharing flu shot experiences to build trust and counter vaccine hesitancy.

After two years of community collaboration, the program had just begun sending videos via text to 200 families when funding was pulled.

Community members and experts condemned the cancellation, calling it a setback for public health and equity.

Community adviser Chantyl Busby said, “It sends a horrible message.”

With flu, measles, and whooping cough rising, doctors say this work is more urgent than ever.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.


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