MMR Vaccine Offered to Fans at Indianapolis 500 Race
Fans attending the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 car race in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 26, 2019 were offered the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine at the track’s medical center.1 Prior to the start of the race, which was attended by more than 250,000 people, IndyCar medical director Geoffery Billows, MD of Indiana […]
FDA Licenses Dengvaxia Vaccine After Students Die in Philippines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 1, 2019 its licensing approval of Sanofi Pasteur’s Dengvaxia vaccine, which was designed to prevent a mosquito borne viral infection known as dengue fever.1 Symptoms of dengue range from mild (or none at all) to high fever along with headache, body pain, nausea, vomiting and […]
Vaccines Marketed by Stoking Fear of Disease
Story Highlights The marketing of vaccines is one of the most aggressive public health policies today. The most common marketing strategy used by stakeholders to promote vaccines is to create a culture that fears disease. Fear-based marketing generates vaccine demand and calls into question ethical standards in journalism. One of the most visible and aggressive […]
All Homeless People to Get Hepatitis A Vaccine
Story Highlights In October 2018, the CDC’s vaccine policymaking committee, ACIP, voted to recommend the hepatitis A vaccine to be routinely given to homeless persons. Hepatitis A infections are associated with poor sanitation and living conditions and the decision was made because outbreaks have occurred among homeless populations in the last few years. Hepatitis A […]
Listening vs Coercion on ‘Vaccine Hesitancy’
Story Highlights Public shaming of vaccine-hesitant parents has reached new heights. Those who question mainstream vaccine policy tend to be among the most educated, well-informed parents. Respectful conversations about vaccination between health care professionals and their patients is more effective than coercive tactics. The rhetoric surrounding vaccination has long been dismissive of anyone who questions […]
FDA Expands the Market for Gardasil Vaccine Use
Story Highlights Merck’s new Gardasil 9 human papillomavirus vaccine has now been approved for use in men and women to age 45. Expanded routine administration of Gardasil 9 in older people may raise cervical cancer risks for some adult women who are actively infected with HPV. The American Cancer Society does not expect Gardasil 9 […]