Vaccine Policy & Public Health - A federal panel's new rules for COVID shots could reduce vaccine availability [1] - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ASIP) recommended that individuals under 65 consult a doctor before receiving the COVID vaccine, differing from previous recommendations for all Americans aged 6 months and older [2] - The panel also voted to restrict the use of the MMRV vaccine, advising against its use for children under four years old [2][3] - Childhood vaccination rates have been declining, leading to nearly 1,500 documented measles cases in the US this year, the highest level in over 25 years [10] Historical Context & Impact of Vaccines - In 1900, the US life expectancy was 473%, significantly lower than today's 784% due to infant and child mortality from preventable diseases [5][6] - Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the early 1960s, the US saw 3 to 4 million measles cases annually, with 400 to 500 deaths [8] - Measles deaths declined by 90% in the decade after the introduction of measles vaccines, and measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000 [9] - Vaccines are considered a top innovation for contributing to health, longevity, and overall human well-being [14] Skepticism vs Pseudoscience & Public Trust - The discussion around vaccines is not solely scientific, as panels are now populated with vaccine critics, some of whom have profited from that position [16] - It's important to distinguish legitimate skepticism, which is part of science, from pseudoscience, as public trust and polarization are key issues [17][19] - Herd immunity is crucial, and decreased vaccination rates can affect many people [21][22] - Vaccination is a public health issue and a shared responsibility for the safety and health of the community [22][23]

Hey Yas, you know, this is really incredible and I'm so proud to have been a part of this project. The genesis of it is that the medical unit was sitting around during the measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, which I'm sure you remember, and they were thinking to themselves, you know, how can we broaden this out and take an interesting look at where vaccination rates stand around the country. They then embarked on this six-monthlong project where they reached out to every department of health in every ...

To go to premier charter school in St. Louis, students have to be up todate on their vaccines and go. >> School nurse Virginia Wilson makes sure they are.>> So, it's a big chunk of your job in the beginning of the school year. >> It is my entire job at the beginning of the school year. >> And she says it's getting harder.>> How many kindergarteners this year needed vaccines. >> We probably at for our school around like 20% need them. NBC News medical unit and researchers at Stanford University crunched scho ...