Vaccine confidence in the United States has fallen sharply since the pandemic, and industry leaders say the problem is not a broken system but a communication gap.
CEO warns of a trust deficit
David Dodd, president and chief executive of GeoVax, told a Medical Economics interview that the U.S. vaccine rollout “is not broken, but it badly needs better communication, clearer processes and more listening.” He said the decline in public trust is unprecedented, citing organizational upheaval at the CDC, mixed messages from various authorities, and a flood of misinformation on social media as key contributors.
According to the interview, the American Medical Association’s independent vaccine review project matters because the existing process “lacks definition,” creating uncertainty that slows development timelines and erodes confidence. Dodd suggested that the AMA’s effort could eventually align with federal oversight, pointing to historical examples where parallel pathways merged into a new framework.
Missteps that fueled skepticism
Dodd identified the most harmful misinformation as the blanket claim that Secretary Kennedy is “entirely anti‑vaccine.” He said his company’s experience, including the loss of a $400 million program, shows he is neither a hard‑line supporter nor a dismissive critic. The CEO also addressed the debate over mRNA versus multi‑antigen platforms, calling the preference for one technology a legitimate scientific discussion rather than a conspiratorial stance.
He traced current hesitancy back to the 2020 COVID‑19 vaccine messaging, which he described as overpromising efficacy and promising sterilizing immunity that never materialized. Dodd argued that transparency about what vaccines actually achieve—reducing hospitalization and death rather than preventing infection entirely—could restore credibility. He noted that public conversations about measles, flu and COVID‑19 vaccines need to be distinct, reflecting their different risk profiles.
When asked whether the nation might split into “red‑state” and “blue‑state” vaccine guidelines, Dodd said he does not expect a permanent political divide. He acknowledged a current vacuum, noting that medical organizations stepping in to fill the gap may appear overreaching but are responding to a real need for guidance.
Dodd’s advice to primary‑care physicians centers on listening. He recounted switching doctors after feeling dismissed and argued that patients who distrust their physician should be encouraged to find another, because the relationship only works when communication is truly two‑way.
The interview concluded with a reminder that better dialogue between health officials, providers, and the public could help rebuild the confidence that underpins successful vaccination campaigns.
