News Summary
A study by the University of Pennsylvania reveals a significant decline in public trust for the CDC due to conflicting vaccine recommendations with the AMA. Only half of respondents consider the CDC trustworthy, with many favoring the AMA’s guidance. The erosion of trust is linked to political interference during the Trump administration, which affected the CDC’s credibility. The findings highlight a growing skepticism among the public about official health guidance and showcase a shift in trust towards other medical bodies, particularly among older Americans.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A recent study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center reveals a notable decline in public trust for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), particularly when its vaccine recommendations conflict with those from the American Medical Association (AMA). This shift in public perception is largely attributed to a year marked by substantial changes in federal government policy concerning vaccines during the Trump administration. The findings, released in December, underscore a growing skepticism among Americans regarding official public health guidance.
The survey indicates that while approximately half of the respondents still consider the CDC to be a trustworthy source for vaccine safety information, a significant portion of the population would prioritize the advice of other medical bodies. Specifically, 35% of respondents stated they would be more inclined to follow recommendations from the AMA if they diverged from the CDC’s, whereas only 16% would side with the CDC in such a scenario. This preference was observed across various political affiliations and was particularly pronounced among older adults. In contrast, younger Americans, aged 18 to 29 years old, showed a slight inclination to trust the CDC more, with 24% favoring its recommendations compared to 19% for the AMA.
Impact of Conflicting Guidance on Public Trust
The study highlights how conflicting vaccine recommendations and alleged political interference during the Trump administration have undermined the CDC’s long-standing autonomy, legitimacy, and public confidence. This period saw several key decisions that contributed to the erosion of trust in the Nationwide agency. One such instance involved the Trump administration, led by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., replacing an existing committee of external experts who advised the CDC on vaccine policy. This committee was subsequently replaced with a new group that included individuals critical of vaccines.
Further exacerbating the issue, the White House reportedly dismissed CDC director Susan Monarez, partly due to her reluctance to unequivocally endorse the new committee’s recommendations. The newly constituted panel then proceeded to alter recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and suggested delaying hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. These changes were met with significant concern and criticism from medical professionals. States like Pennsylvania, for example, found themselves adapting their own policies on vaccine distribution to ensure continued public access in response to these federal shifts.
A notable alteration in public health messaging occurred in November when the CDC’s official website, which had long maintained that decades of research showed no link between vaccines and autism, was updated. The revised statement now reads: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.” This move drew sharp criticism from public health experts Nationwide.
Broader Context of Political Interference and Public Health
The findings from the Penn study are consistent with other reports detailing political interference in the CDC’s operations during the Trump administration. There were documented instances where the administration allegedly blocked the CDC’s efforts to disseminate scientific information and prevented its scientists from directly communicating with the media about COVID-19. Political appointees reportedly exerted influence over the CDC’s flagship medical research publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), by dictating content and withholding studies, including those on bird flu.
Furthermore, in 2020, President Trump publicly contradicted then-CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield regarding the timeline for a COVID-19 vaccine. While President Trump suggested a vaccine could be weeks away, Dr. Redfield projected broad availability no earlier than mid-2021, leading to public confusion and an extraordinary clash between the president and his own CDC director in the midst of a pandemic.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, the director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, commented on the public’s discernment, noting that the shift in trust to other organizations on crucial issues demonstrates that the public is paying attention and intelligently responding to changes in CDC statements. This highlights a broader challenge for public health institutions, as the 2025-2026 CDC guidelines are, for the first time, at odds with those issued by prominent professional bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Historically, the CDC was widely regarded as a non-partisan, science-driven agency. While political influence on public health guidance is not unprecedented, the level of interference during the Trump administration has been described as egregious, significantly impacting the agency’s credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the University of Pennsylvania study find regarding trust in the CDC?
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center found that Americans are less likely to trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when its vaccine guidance conflicts with that of the American Medical Association (AMA).
Why has trust in the CDC decreased according to the study?
The decline in trust is attributed to a year of major shifts in federal government policy toward vaccines during the Trump administration, along with conflicting vaccine recommendations and alleged political interference.
What percentage of Americans would trust the AMA over the CDC on conflicting vaccine recommendations?
35% of respondents would be more likely to accept recommendations from the AMA if they conflicted with the CDC, compared to only 16% who would side with the CDC.
Which age group showed more trust in the CDC compared to the AMA?
The only age group more likely to accept the CDC over the AMA were 18- to 29-year-olds (24% for CDC vs. 19% for AMA).
What were some examples of conflicting recommendations or political interference mentioned?
Examples include the Trump administration, under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., replacing a committee of outside experts advising the CDC on vaccine policy with a group including vaccine critics, the firing of CDC director Susan Monarez, changes to COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccine recommendations, an updated CDC website statement on vaccines and autism, the ending of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women, and President Trump publicly contradicting CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield on the COVID-19 vaccine timeline.
What are the broader implications of these findings?
The findings highlight a broader challenge for public health institutions, as the public is intelligently responding to changes in CDC statements by shifting trust. The 2025-2026 CDC guidelines are, for the first time, at odds with those of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Key Features of Public Trust in Health Agencies
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Finding | Americans are less likely to trust the CDC when its vaccine guidance conflicts with the AMA. | Nationwide |
| Primary Cause | Major shifts in federal government policy toward vaccines and conflicting recommendations during the Trump administration. | Nationwide |
| Trust in AMA vs. CDC | 35% of respondents would trust AMA recommendations over CDC’s (16%). | Nationwide |
| Affected Age Groups | Preference for AMA pronounced among older Americans; 18-29 year olds slightly prefer CDC. | Nationwide |
| Specific Policy Changes | Replaced CDC advisory committee, fired CDC director, altered COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccine recommendations, updated autism statement on CDC website. | Nationwide |
| Political Interference | Blocking CDC’s public outreach, influencing MMWR content, President Trump contradicting CDC director on vaccine timelines. | Nationwide |
| Impact on Other Organizations | 2025-2026 CDC guidelines are at odds with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. | Nationwide |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
