Do you know Andy Wakefield. You absolutely should. He's a buddy and one-time business partner of Robert F.Kennedy Jr. . This is Wakefield and his friend RFK talking on Instagram in 2020. Back then, Kennedy was an antivaccine activist, not yet running HHS.And Wakefield was a disgraced researcher, the architect of the antivaccine movement's foundational lie that the MMR vaccine causes autism. Wakefield was a British gastroenterenterologist in the9s who published a study in the Lancet claiming he'd found a con ...

Welcoming CDC director Jim O'Neal is calling on vaccine makers to split up the combined MMR vaccine. In a post on X yesterday, O'Neal endorsed President Trump's earlier call to split the measles, MS, and Reubella vaccine into three separate injections. The post came just hours after O'Neal signed off on a vaccine advisory panel recommendation against getting the vaccine before the age of four.Let's bring in NBC News medical contributor Dr. . Vin Gupta. Uh so doctor, what would be the problem with this sugge ...

Group 1 - A recent poll indicates that 1 in 6 American parents have delayed or skipped childhood vaccinations, excluding flu and COVID-19 shots, with 9% admitting to skipping core vaccinations like polio and MMR [1][2] - The primary reason for vaccine hesitancy among parents is a lack of trust, with 86% citing concerns about potential side effects and risks, while 12% mentioned insurance coverage issues or high costs [2] - The CDC emphasizes that the childhood vaccine schedule is crucial for saving lives and protecting children during their most vulnerable years [3][4] Group 2 - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits individual health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on vaccination history [4] - Employer-sponsored health insurance can be more complex, as employers may impose premium surcharges related to vaccination status, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic [5] - Delta Airlines previously implemented a $200 surcharge for unvaccinated employees to offset COVID-19 treatment costs, which was later removed as case numbers declined [6]

Vaccine Industry Insights - A new RFK Junior-backed vaccine panel is advocating for restrictions on the MMR vaccine for children under four, with a vote on hepatitis B vaccine recommendations postponed due to insufficient data [1] - Concerns have been raised regarding the profitability of vaccine companies like Merck, Moderna, and Pfizer, with a general sentiment that the value of vaccines has diminished [3][4] - Moderna is facing significant challenges, including a potential revenue decline and a lawsuit that could cost the company between $2 billion to $3 billion, which it may struggle to afford [8][9] Regulatory Environment - The FDA is perceived to be actively working on drug approvals, although there are concerns about the lack of expected approvals impacting investor sentiment [6][7] - There is a growing apprehension regarding potential price controls on pharmaceuticals as the administration approaches midterm elections, which could negatively affect the industry [10][11] Advertising and Market Dynamics - The advertising landscape for pharmaceuticals is under scrutiny, with concerns about how direct-to-consumer advertising impacts the industry, although investors currently do not view it as a major concern [12][13] - Despite the challenges, the biotech sector is viewed positively, with indications that drug development is increasing and the overall climate is improving [14][15]

Vaccine Policy & Regulation - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has new members, some with anti-vaccine views or skepticism towards the COVID-19 vaccine, potentially influencing future decisions [1][2][3] - Discussions are focusing on the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) combined vaccine, specifically the risk of febrile seizures, which anti-vaxxers want to remove from the market [4][5] - There's a movement to remove thimerosal (a preservative) from the remaining 4% of vaccines (mostly adult flu vaccines) and alum (an aluminum salt adjuvant) from seven pediatric vaccines [7][8][9] - Removing alum could force manufacturers to reformulate vaccines, potentially leading to vaccine shortages due to lack of safe alternatives [9][10][11] - ACIP's involvement in issues traditionally handled by regulators raises concerns about settled science, particularly regarding thimerosal and alum [18][19] Vaccine Safety & Public Health - The combined MMR and varicella vaccine carries a small risk of febrile seizures, which can be mitigated by monitoring and treating fevers above 1005°F (3806°C) between days 5 and 14 post-vaccination; about 10% of children experience this reaction [4][5] - Declining MMR vaccination rates in over 50% of states, with some below 70%, are setting up risks for future measles outbreaks [26] - There are concerns that anti-vaccine sentiment, fueled by COVID-19 mandates, will have long-term consequences, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases [24][25][26] Litigation & Industry Impact - Secretary Kennedy's actions are potentially setting up a litigation enterprise, aiming to link vaccines to autism and open the door to lawsuits under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [28][29][30][31] - This could drive vaccine manufacturers out of the market, as companies may choose to stop manufacturing vaccines due to potential lawsuits [31][32]