In this episode of We Want Them Infected, hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent break down the growing concerns around scientific censorship, COVID-19 misinformation, and the erosion of public trust in health institutions. They examine controversial claims surrounding vaccine studies, leadership decisions at the CDC and NIH, and the broader implications of political influence on public health policy.

The discussion highlights debates over COVID vaccine efficacy research, the suppression of scientific findings, and the role of key figures like Jay Bhattacharya and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in shaping public discourse. The hosts also explore the resurgence of diseases like measles, declining vaccination rates, and the long-term consequences of weakened public health infrastructure.

From academic freedom concerns to global health risks, this episode provides a critical analysis of how misinformation and leadership decisions are reshaping science, medicine, and public trust in 2026.

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan and Wendy unpack the most surprising political move of Trump's second term: the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz — a physician, lawyer, former Coast Guard public health official, and unapologetic architect of military vaccine mandates — to run the CDC. Praised by figures like Jerome Adams, Vin Gupta, and Dorit Reiss, and openly loathed by RFK Jr.'s attack-dog attorney Aaron Siri, Schwartz's selection is read as a signal that the White House is quietly sidelining Kennedy ahead of the midterms and trying to win back the saner corners of the GOP.

From there, the hosts dig into the widening fault lines inside MAHA:

• Marty Makary vs. Robert Malone — the "10 children killed by the COVID vaccine" report Makary promised has never materialized, and Malone is now publicly accusing him of the exact cover-up Makary accused his predecessors of.
• Vinay Prasad's exit from the FDA — his much-hyped randomized controlled trial of the Pfizer COVID vaccine in healthy 50–64-year-olds failed to recruit, proving (again) that tweeting about RCTs is easier than running them. Jonathan plays Prasad's own year-old promise back against him.
• The rumored FDA replacement — ophthalmologist and Twitter personality David Hooman, whose COVID-vaccine misinformation record would send exactly the wrong signal.
• Jay Bhattacharya on the rally circuit — CPAC, Turning Point USA, Kennedy rallies, DeSantis rallies — all while insisting "science shouldn't be political." Plus his role in suppressing a CDC vaccine-safety study and the UCSF faculty petition to block Prasad's return.
• The peptides free-for-all at the FDA, and why Kennedy still has enough juice to throw bones to his wellness-grifter base.

Also: measles in Utah, a Moab travel detour, and a plea to every journalist, clinician, and listener still pushing back. MAHA is on its back foot — the job now is to keep the pressure on.

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dig into the widening fractures inside the MAHA coalition — from Robert Malone's dramatic ACIP exit and UFO tangents, to Vinay Prasad's phantom "10 dead children" claim, Jay Bhattacharya's inability to fix literal broken windows at the CDC, and the ongoing search for anyone willing to run federal health agencies. A sprawling, unscripted conversation about vaccine science, institutional collapse, and the human cost of health misinformation.

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, the hosts unpack the controversial exit of Vinay Prasad from the FDA and what it reveals about fractures inside the MAHA coalition and the broader Trump-era health policy landscape. They examine the disputes surrounding rare-disease drug approvals—particularly Huntington's gene therapy—alongside ongoing battles over COVID vaccines, regulatory standards, and public trust in federal health agencies. The discussion also explores how political alliances, pandemic-era commentary, and conflicts with patient advocacy groups ultimately contributed to Prasad's downfall and what it may signal for the future of vaccine policy and biomedical regulation in the U.S.

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Jonathan and Wendy examine the growing instability inside U.S. public health institutions and how political battles, misinformation, and shifting leadership are reshaping the national conversation around vaccines and infectious disease.

They are joined by Jeff Kunzler, creator of the Pandemic Accountability Index, a project that tracks misinformation and public commentary related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together, they unpack rising measles cases, the evolving political influence on public health agencies, and the broader cultural battle over how the pandemic will be remembered.

The conversation explores how misinformation spreads, how public trust has shifted since COVID-19, and what the future may hold for American public health policy.

Jeff Kunzler is the creator of the Pandemic Accountability Index, a project that tracks misinformation and public statements related to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health policy.

Raised in Washington State's Skagit Valley, Jeff later worked in the advertising industry as a graphic designer, copywriter, and photographer. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began compiling medical research, public commentary, and social media statements related to pandemic narratives. That work eventually developed into the Pandemic Accountability Index, which aims to document how influential figures shaped public health discourse during the pandemic.

Pandemic Accountability Index
https://pandemicindex.substack.com

Science Based Medicine
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this headline-driven episode, Jonathan and Wendy unpack the mounting turbulence inside U.S. public health institutions — from the political fallout over glyphosate and mRNA flu vaccines to FDA reversals, CDC leadership chaos, and a worsening measles outbreak. They examine internal fractures within the Maha movement, the politicization of vaccine policy, and the devastating real-world consequences of misinformation — including a 7-year-old hospitalized with measles encephalitis. The episode blends policy critique, scientific context, and ethical concern, highlighting how regulatory instability and distrust are reshaping American public health in 2026.

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan and Wendy unpack how culture war politics, anti-vaccine ideology, and regulatory power are colliding in dangerous ways. The conversation begins with criticism Jonathan received after arguing that trans healthcare decisions should be left to doctors, patients, and families—not debated for podcast content or political gain. The discussion then pivots to the measles resurgence, including outbreaks in ICE detention centers and efforts to minimize measles deaths using recycled COVID-era talking points.

They examine five recurring myths being repurposed from COVID to measles: people are dying "with" not "of" the disease, only sick children die, the outbreak is "almost over," vaccines are more dangerous than the illness, and doctors are to blame for deaths. Finally, they analyze the FDA's controversial refusal to review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, exploring what that decision signals about regulatory instability, innovation suppression, and long-term damage to vaccine research in the U.S.

The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information.

The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content.

The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content.

Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals.

By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.