MAHA voters feel betrayed — Republicans proceed at their own risk - The Hill

What the report says

The Hill published an opinion piece by contributor Donald Slaughter arguing that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contract award to Pfizer could create political problems for Republican leaders among “Make America Healthy Again” voters. According to the piece, the CDC on June 1 awarded Pfizer contracts worth about $1.24 billion for COVID-19 vaccine purchases covering the remainder of fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027, including pediatric and adult doses.

Slaughter contends the award is poorly timed because COVID-19 vaccine uptake has fallen, citing figures in the article that 9 percent of children and 17 percent of adults were receiving the vaccine as of spring 2026, with 3 percent of parents planning vaccination for their children. He also says the contract proceeded while the legal status of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices remained unsettled after a court stayed members appointed by Secretary Robert Kennedy and their votes.

The article frames the contract as a potential breach of trust with MAHA-aligned voters who supported President Trump’s 2024 coalition in expectation of changes to federal health policy, pharmaceutical oversight and vaccine decision-making. Slaughter cites an unreleased October 2025 MAHA Action survey, later reported by the Daily Caller, and a recent KFF poll to argue that concerns about pharmaceutical influence, mandates, health costs and vaccine policy could affect voting behavior.

Because this is an opinion article, its central claims about political risk and voter betrayal are the author’s analysis rather than a news finding by The Hill. The broader context is a continuing debate inside conservative politics over public health agencies, COVID-era policies, vaccine policy and the influence of pharmaceutical companies.