Peter Hotez On The Anti-Vaccine Movement

Peter Hotez is a Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine. He is the world’s authority on vaccine science not simply because of scientific background, but because of his active and valuable advocacy work across many platforms. He joins us to discuss the measles explosions in the United States and Europe, the devastation wrought by the anti-vaccine movement

Key Learnings

1.  Why your faithful host is angry

2.  The 3 vaccines that are being marginalized in the United States

3.  The 3 major forces behind the current public health crisis

4. The power of the anti-vaccine movement & the lack of clarity behind it’s goals and funding

5.  The impact of vaccine exemptions at the state level

6. The lack of a powerful & organized pro-vaccine advocacy

7.  Dr. Hotez’ evolution from scientist to advocate, finding his voice, & telling a very personal story

8. The pressing need for healthcare providers to become savvy with TV, writing, and social media

9. Realizing the incredible power that physicians have when they step forward on social issues

10. What’s it’s like to go up against the anti-vaccine lobby and the need for more support from physicians who may be either disinterested or afraid.

11.  The next steps needed to begin to stem the tide

12.  The value of educating the next generations of healthcare providers in policy, advocacy, media & importance of meeting them where they live.

13.  The alarming trajectory of measles and the concern it will move through Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America

Links

Dr. Hotez’ website: www.peterhotez.org

Dr. Hotez on Twitter: @peterhotez

New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/us/measles-outbreak.html

Crafting Your Scientist Brand: https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000024

Dr. Hotez’ book “Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism” : https://www.amazon.com/Vaccines-Did-Not-Cause-Rachels-Autism/dp/1421426609

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