In this special live episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc bring you insightful conversations from the 2025 World Vaccine Congress in Washington, DC. Joined by leading experts—including Richard Hughes, Abby Bownas, Rekha Lakshmanan, and Tommy Acciani—they explore the current landscape of adult immunization policy, funding threats to vaccine infrastructure, misinformation challenges, and what’s next for vaccine innovation.

From coalition-building and provider reimbursement to legal barriers and access equity, this episode unpacks the complex, cross-sector challenges and solutions shaping the future of adult vaccines in the U.S.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:00: Ben provides an overview of the World Vaccine Congress and its cross-sector focus on vaccine equity, innovation, and public health policy

04:00: Abby Bownas shares that one of the most urgent needs in adult vaccination policy is restoring and protecting funding for immunization infrastructure, from doses to education to data

05:30: Abby highlights how cross-sector partnerships between public health and healthcare systems are key to maintaining vaccine access, especially amid funding cuts

06:50: Robert reflects on Abby’s interview, emphasizing the rising hesitation around adult immunization and the importance of education and legislative engagement

08:00: Tommy Acciani shares that successful policy innovation must come from collaboration—not silos—and that events like the Congress create space to unite stakeholders

09:00: Tommy identifies major remaining barriers to adult vaccination, including outdated policies, lack of provider reimbursement, and under-supported patient-provider conversations

11:15: Tommy flags the coming end of the CDC’s Bridge Access Program as a major funding threat, particularly to local clinics and federally qualified health centers

12:40: Tommy reflects on hearing vaccine pioneer Dr. Stanley Plotkin speak, underscoring how vaccines remain one of the most impactful public health interventions of our time

14:00: Rekha Lakshmanan explains that many state-level vaccine policy fights now center on efforts to weaken school immunization requirements and increase opt-outs

16:10: Rekha shares that coalitions play a critical role in fighting misinformation by serving as trusted, community-embedded messengers—not government entities

17:00: Rekha argues that the U.S. lacks a national culture of adult immunization and calls for normalizing vaccine conversations across all age groups

18:00: Rekha ends on a hopeful note, saying the passion and collaboration on display at the Congress reaffirm the strength of the vaccine ecosystem

19:00: Robert emphasizes Rekha’s unique experience at the intersection of pharma, policy, and grassroots coalitions in Texas—the epicenter of a measles outbreak

20:00: Richard Hughes says this year’s Congress feels different, with more concern about regulatory uncertainty and federal political interference in vaccine policy

21:00: Richard shares that his legal background allows him to spotlight access, reimbursement, and constitutional issues that affect vaccine policy at all levels

22:10: Richard explains that questions are mounting about the legal boundaries of what the administration can and cannot do around mandates, access, and injury compensation

23:10: Richard expresses deep concern over misinformation and disinformation coming from high levels of government, calling it one of the greatest current threats to public health

25:00: Ben turns the spotlight on Robert, who shares key findings from his presentation on adult immunization research

26:00: Robert highlights that pharmacies—not physician offices—are the most accessible vaccination sites for adults, especially in low-income communities

27:00: Robert calls out two major policy barriers: risk-based recommendations and Shared Clinical Decision Making (SCDM), both of which limit access in pharmacy settings

28:30: Robert also shares that GHLF research found a 26% cost premium when patients receive vaccines in physician offices vs. pharmacies, showing why pharmacy access is also a cost issue

29:30: Robert recaps a panel he moderated about provider support in underserved communities, where key themes were vaccine hesitancy and reimbursement issues

30:00: In closing, Robert says the one word that sums up the energy at this year’s Congress is “optimism”—with the private sector showing renewed commitment to driving progress in adult vaccine access

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

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S6, Ep 5- Immunization at a Crossroads: Experts Weigh In from the World Vaccine Congress

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