Democracy Now! Audio Democracy Now! 2025-12-12 Friday
Dec 12, 2025
Dr. Fiona Havers, a former CDC vaccine expert, discusses significant vaccine policy shifts, including the controversial removal of universal hepatitis B recommendations. Palestinian journalist Mohammed Mahawish shares harrowing personal stories of life under AI-driven surveillance in Gaza, detailing its psychological toll. Congressmember Delia Ramirez reveals her plans to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem while exposing troubling ICE practices. These conversations highlight urgent issues from public health to civil rights.
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Hepatitis Policy Reversal Risks Child Health
- Removing universal newborn hepatitis B recommendations risks reintroducing lifelong pediatric infections.
- Fiona Havers warns the policy reversal stems from a reshaped advisory committee under RFK Jr. that casts doubt on decades of evidence.
Measles Return Signals Weakened Public Health
- Measles resurgence reflects years of misinformation and weakened public health response under current leadership.
- Havers links higher cases and loss of elimination status to anti-vaccine rhetoric and hamstrung CDC action.
Black Box Warning Would Undermine Vaccine Gains
- A proposed FDA black box on COVID vaccines would contradict evidence showing millions of prevented deaths and hospitalizations.
- Havers calls the consideration alarming and warns it could further undermine vaccine confidence during respiratory season.