This is very helpful, from The Checkup with Dr Wen column at The Washington Post. There was no paywall for this article while I was reading it, which is a good thing.
-----------------------------------------------
Where to go for accurate, up-to-date vaccine information
Concerned about federal government websites? Here are some trusted alternatives.
Dr Leana Wen, Washington Post, 6/12/25 "Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision this week to fire 17 independent experts on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel — and replace them with people with limited expertise and questionable views — was not unexpected. In November, I warned
that such a takeover and the subsequent replacement of experts with
vaccine skeptics could be part of the now-Health and Human Services
secretary’s playbook to undermine vaccine confidence.
"Meanwhile, the CDC’s website has been changing. For instance, a new section on measles treatment includes vitamin A, one of Kennedy’s preferred “alternatives” to vaccines . And instead of recommending the coronavirus vaccine to everyone 6 months and older, the agency now says certain groups such as children and pregnant women “may” receive them.
"Many
readers say they no longer trust guidance from federal health agencies
and have asked where else they can go for vaccine information now. I
think they should still continue to consult government sites including
the CDC, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health,
as most information featured there appears unaltered. This could
change, especially if anti-vaccine voices gain additional influence.
"Here are some additional resources I use to cross-reference information found on federal health websites:
American Academy of Pediatrics: Pediatricians play a crucial role in guiding families to make science-based health decisions. The AAP has excellent information on its website , including entire sections on how scientists determined that vaccines are safe and effective. I especially love its infographics that help parents understand the seriousness of disease and the benefits of vaccination. The organization’s discussion guides for clinicians might also help laypeople who want to be better-equipped to speak with vaccine skeptics in their lives.American Medical Association: The AMA has recently been building up its vaccine reference materials for clinicians. Its resource site ,
while not the easiest to navigate, has accurate and practical
information applicable to both health professionals and patients. I find
their measles information especially useful.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG offers superb guidance about vaccines in pregnancy . This includes a thorough analysis
of the evidence behind the safety and efficacy of coronavirus shots.
Other specialty societies offer similarly tailored tool kits for people
with specific medical conditions. The American Society of Clinical Oncology , for instance, has immunization recommendations for cancer patients.National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: This
organization hosts expert webinars and podcast episodes that I often
consult for up-to-date information on treatment and prevention of
infectious diseases. Its vaccine resources include well-researched and accessible articles from guest experts, such as this one on what the science says about autism and vaccines.The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center: Paul Offit of the University of Pennsylvania, one of my go-to trusted experts, oversees this website , which offers not only helpful vaccine information for the public but also real-time analysis
of the federal government’s changes to vaccine recommendations. Several
other academic institutions that I consult often include the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.The University of Minnesota’s Vaccine Integrity Project: This is a new initiative
started by Michael Osterholm, director of the university’s Center for
Infectious Disease Research and Policy, with an all-star steering
committee that is intended to strengthen vaccine confidence through
cross-sector collaborations. CIDRAP itself is a terrific news aggregator that I rely on for summaries of the latest research.The Straight Shot by the Center for Science in the Public Interest: This is another new project
that specifically focuses on changes to federal vaccine policy.
Contributors include former top FDA and HHS officials who discuss
implications of recent decisions. The analyses are very detailed and
cover broader changes at the health agencies, such as how clinical
trials will be affected by budget cuts and what is involved in Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative . "These are just some of the independent resources that patients and
clinicians can continue to rely on. It’s a relief that they exist and
that dedicated scientists and health professionals have stepped up their
efforts to provide clear, credible guidance. But the fact that they
have to do so points to the erosion of trust in the CDC and federal
scientific leadership that was once considered the gold standard for
health information. That trust will not be easily rebuilt."
No comments:
Post a Comment