Uncanny Valley | WIRED The Dangerous Decline in Vaccination Rates
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May 1, 2025 In the U.S., measles is making a comeback, with a concerning outbreak in Texas leading to hundreds of cases. The podcast discusses the importance of vaccination as public trust dwindles, fueled by misinformation and a shifting health policy landscape. The role of influential figures like the new health secretary in shaping attitudes toward vaccines is explored. Additionally, private discussions among tech elites reveal how secretive dialogues may impact public health debates, reflecting a troubling trend in communal immunity.
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Measles Risk Becoming Endemic
- Measles could become endemic in the U.S. within two decades if vaccination rates stay low.
- Models predict about 850,000 cases and 2,500 deaths over 25 years without improved vaccination.
RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Messaging Impact
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spreads vaccine doubts despite some recent moderate statements.
- His decades-long anti-vaccine stance has eroded public trust in vaccine safety and efficacy.
Threats To Vaccine Research & Infrastructure
- Federal health agency defunding under RFK Jr. risks dismantling vaccine infrastructure and research.
- NIH suppressing mRNA vaccine research could hinder future pandemic preparedness and medical advances.