What Next | Daily News and Analysis Vaccine Skeptics Just Scored a Big Win
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Jun 16, 2025 Noel Brewer, Gillings Distinguished Professor in Public Health at the University of North Carolina and former CDC committee member, discusses the tumultuous recent firing of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He delves into the implications of appointing new members amidst rising vaccine skepticism and explores the challenge of rebuilding public trust in vaccinations. Brewer emphasizes the critical need for transparency in vaccine governance and how these decisions affect access to life-saving vaccines in America.
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ACIP Appointment Signifies Vaccine Trust Focus
- Being appointed to ACIP was a career peak for Noel Brewer, showing respect for a behavioral scientist's role in vaccine recommendation.
- It signaled recognition of the need to understand what motivates vaccine uptake amid rising skepticism.
Vaccine Availability Drives Uptake
- The most important factor to improve vaccination rates is availability and affordability, more than changing people's vaccine confidence.
- Making vaccines accessible should be the starting point before focusing on trust issues.
ACIP Advises Vaccine Usage Only
- ACIP's role is to advise on usage of FDA-approved vaccines, not approve or reject vaccines themselves.
- They recommend who should get vaccines rather than questioning vaccine licensure or safety directly.