Vaccine Hesitancy & Public Health Concerns - Vaccine skepticism stems from confusion and distrust in recommendations, leading to indecision [2][4] - Misinformation and disinformation are key drivers of vaccine rejection among US parents [5] - One in six (16.67%) US parents are rejecting vaccine recommendations due to concerns about side effects and risks [5] - Last year, 271 children died of influenza, with over 90% of them unvaccinated [3] The Role of Scientists & Public Servants - Scientists and public servants have a responsibility to speak out when actions are not in the public's best interest [7][9] - The willingness of scientists to speak out, even leaving the CDC and facing criticism, is crucial for public health [8][9] Impact of Distrust - Efforts to destabilize trust in vaccines and experts, including pediatricians, contribute to indecision and inaction [4]

Vaccine Safety and Efficacy - COVID-19 vaccines were crucial in saving millions of lives in the US, including pediatric cases, offering parents a choice regarding vaccination [3] - The MMR vaccine has been safe and efficacious for decades, while the hepatitis B vaccine has led to a 99% decrease in the disease at the population level since its implementation [5] Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation - Growing distrust in vaccines among the American public is fueled by misinformation [6] - One in six (approximately 16.67%) American parents have delayed or skipped vaccine doses [9] - Concerns exist that a committee might share scientifically unsound information, potentially worsening vaccine hesitancy [6][9] Vaccine Policy and Access - States are forming consortia for vaccine policy, indicating a split in approaches [7] - American Health Insurance Plans will continue to support vaccines endorsed by the Advisory Committee before September 2025, basing coverage decisions on evidence [8] - The public questions the necessity of vaccine mandates due to pervasive myths and disinformation [8]

Vaccination Policy & Exemption Trends - West Virginia's governor issued an executive order to change the state's vaccine exemptions, introducing religious and conscientious exemptions [3] - Previously, West Virginia only allowed medical exemptions and had a high vaccination rate of 98% among kindergarteners in 2023 [4] - Following the governor's announcement, at least 463 non-medical exemptions were issued for the 2025-26 school year [4] - A nationwide trend shows 53% of US counties more than doubled exemption rates, and 77% have seen a decline in vaccination rates since 2019 [5] Legal & Regulatory Landscape - The executive order conflicts with the state code, leading to court battles to determine applicable rules for parents, teachers, and school boards [8] - Lawmakers rejected a bill to put non-medical exemptions into state law, but the governor is backed by the Trump administration [7] - The Department of Health and Human Services requires the state to recognize religious exemptions to receive funding for a childhood vaccine program [7] - Two competing lawsuits are in court, later consolidated, challenging the executive order and seeking to allow non-medical exemptions [7][8][9] Exemption Process & School Board Stance - Obtaining a religious exemption in West Virginia is a simple email process, while medical exemptions require a rigorous two-page form reviewed by a physician and state immunization officer [11][12] - The West Virginia Board of Education is currently not accepting the exemptions because the governor's executive order did not change state law [13] Impact on Children & Education - Children with conditions like Fox G1 syndrome, such as Maxwell, are more vulnerable to illnesses, making vaccination rates a concern [2] - Homeschooling is a safer but isolating option, while public education is considered a constitutional right critical for a child's development [10]

Tonight, new concerns over the West Nile virus, a disease spread through mosquitoes, infecting more than 770 people in 39 states. According to the Associated Press, citing CDC data, cases are 40% higher than they typically are this time of year. Scientists say warmer temperatures and higher rainfall could be leading to more mosquitoes carrying the virus.I had a lot of fatigue, uh 103°ree fever, muscle aches. I had brain damage. I couldn't speak well. I couldn't move my body well.Sarah Haynes, a volunteer fi ...

And while the federal government fails and falls apart under Trump's watch when it comes to public health, individual states are now starting to take matters into their own hands as best they can. They're picking up the slack in terms of the governance on this issue. In Illinois, Governor JB Pritskar's health department is reportedly exploring the possibility of bulk purchasing COVID 19 vaccines straight from manufacturers.The New Republic's Greg Sergeant reports that a coalition of states led by Massachuse ...

Can naming and shaming fix what might seem like impossible problems in England's public health service? https://t.co/P4rmMCXebt ...

Right now, health officials out in LA County in California are telling people, "Please, please go get the measles shot after a child there recently died after complications from the virus." It's just one case out of more than 1,450 across the country, according to the CDC. Of course, for that family, it is not just a statistic. It is a living nightmare here.And these numbers are growing as the outbreaks of measles spread in nearly every state, 41 states. talking fever, runny nose, this blotchy rash that can ...

What happens to US public health without a fully functioning CDC? Americans will get a taste this upcoming cold and flu season https://t.co/b0jkW73vew ...

In a key move for the administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. . has released his report on childhood health from his Make America Healthy Again commission.Yet, its core findings that kids in the US spend too much time on screens, are stressed, unhealthy, and eat far too many ultrarocessed foods are hardly revoly. And while it calls for access to healthier food, better nutrition labels, and greater oversight of food additives, 128 ideas in all, it is short on how to accomplish or pay for the recommendations. O ...

Policy & Leadership - The report highlights Trump's support for RFK Jr, the health and human services secretary [1] - The report mentions potential dismantling of public health institutions [1] - The report suggests an overhaul of U S vaccine policy [1]