CDC Chief Blocks Publication of COVID Vaccine Study

Is this political interference or legitimate scientific scrutiny?

Published 1 day ago

CDC Chief Blocks Publication of COVID Vaccine Study

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Above: NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya on March 28, 2026. Image credit: Shelby Tauber/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Bhattacharya blocked this study because the test-negative design cannot produce an unbiased efficacy estimate. This is a legitimate scientific concern, not a political one. MMWR is not peer-reviewed, and publishing methodologically flawed research there would mislead the public rather than inform it. Holding the study to a higher standard is exactly what rigorous, trustworthy public health science demands.

The Epoch Times on X

Narrative B

The CDC is sitting on a finished study cleared by its own scientific reviewers showing the strong efficacy of COVID vaccines, and the only reason it hasn't been published is politics. The test-negative design used is the same method the CDC just used for a flu vaccine study three weeks prior, so the methodology objection doesn't hold up. Withholding evidence that helps people make real health decisions isn't transparency, it's interference.

Raghu Venugopal on X

Dr. Noc, PhD on Substack

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.