Key facts
- NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli and CBS host Margaret Brennan debated public trust in health institutions.
- The discussion included concerns about misinformation and the impact of past pandemic policies.
- Brennan questioned Bertagnolli about a potential executive order linking autism and vaccines.
- Bertagnolli affirmed the importance of childhood vaccinations and in-person schooling.
During a contentious interview, National Institutes of Health Director Monica Bertagnolli and CBS host Margaret Brennan clashed over issues of public trust in health guidance and institutions. Brennan sought to question Bertagnolli on the erosion of trust, particularly concerning vaccine recommendations and the lingering effects of pandemic-era policies.
Brennan attempted to steer the conversation towards the role of misinformation and the impact of past decisions, such as school closures. She specifically asked about reporting that President Trump is preparing an executive order to investigate a potential link between autism and vaccines, questioning whether such actions restore trust. Bertagnolli, however, deflected direct comment on the specifics of the order, suggesting Brennan direct such questions to the president.
As Brennan pressed for a clear recommendation on whether parents should trust current vaccine advice for their children, particularly for returning to school, Bertagnolli responded by affirming her personal recommendation to vaccinate children. She stressed the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases and underscored the critical need for them to attend school.