1A In Good Health: Vaccine Hesitancy, Flu Season, And A Second Trump Presidency
Dec 5, 2024
Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert from the University of Minnesota, joins health politics reporter Dan Diamond and vaccine specialist Dr. Haley Gans from Stanford. They dive into the troubling low vaccination rates as flu season approaches, discussing the critical need for community efforts. The guests explore the increasing vaccine hesitancy influenced by mixed messages around COVID-19 and potential health policies under the incoming Trump administration, raising concerns over misinformation and public health risks.
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Vaccinated Callers
- Paula and John, from Massachusetts, actively stay up-to-date on their vaccines.
- However, they represent a minority, as less than half of American adults are vaccinated against the flu and coronavirus.
Vaccination and Mortality
- Low vaccination rates, especially among older adults, contribute to preventable deaths.
- COVID-19 continues to pose a significant threat, with many deaths concentrated in the unvaccinated elderly population.
Community Immunity
- Vaccines offer primary protection to individuals but also contribute to community immunity.
- High vaccination rates, especially for childhood illnesses, create a protective barrier, even for those with weaker immune systems.