#159 - Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.: Evolution of the anti-vaccine movement, the causes of autism, and COVID-19 vaccine state of affairs

Apr 26, 2021

Peter Hotez, an acclaimed physician-scientist focused on vaccines and neglected tropical diseases, shares insights on the evolution of the anti-vaccine movement. He discusses the debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based science. Hotez also reflects on his personal journey as a parent of an autistic child, shedding light on autism's diagnosis and prevalence. The conversation touches on the current state of COVID-19 vaccinations, comparing effectiveness against emerging variants and addressing public concerns.

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INSIGHT

Shifting Goalposts

The anti-vaccine movement shifts its focus to maintain momentum.
It targets thimerosal, vaccine spacing, aluminum, and chronic illness.

INSIGHT

Thimerosal Removal

Thimerosal, a preservative, was removed from most childhood vaccines due to controversy.
Studies showed no link between thimerosal and autism.

ANECDOTE

Kennedy's Focus

Bobby Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer, focused on thimerosal.
He linked it to Minamata disease, a neurological disorder caused by methylmercury exposure.

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Peter Hotez is an internationally recognized physician-scientist in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development. In this episode, they first follow up on the podcast episode (#158) with Brian Deer (the investigative journalist who exposed the complex and disturbing story behind the infamous 1998 Lancet paper by Andrew Wakefield linking the MMR vaccine and autism) with a broader discussion about the origin and evolution of the anti-vaccine movement. They explore some of the specific claims being made around vaccine additives, the timing of when vaccines are given, and claims about issues with the HPV vaccine specifically. Next, Dr. Hotez shares his own journey as a parent of an autistic child and speaks of the challenges of diagnosing autism, what could account for the seeming increase in the prevalence, and whether there is any support for the notion that environmental triggers play a role. They close out with a discussion on the state of affairs with respect to COVID-19 vaccination, comparing the various vaccines as well as the challenges that emerging variants of the virus may present. This episode was originally recorded on April 2, 2021.

We discuss:

The stubborn persistence of anti-vaccine sentiment (3:00);
A closer look at claims about thimerosal and vaccine spacing causing autism (12:00);
The Hib vaccine: An example of the profound difference a vaccine can make (23:30);
The controversy surrounding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (30:45);
The growing anti-science sentiment, COVID vaccine hesitance, and the basis of the anti-vaxx movement (39:00);
The origins of autism, and Hotez’s personal story as a parent of an autistic child (1:02:45);
The challenge of diagnosing autism, increasing prevalence, and a potential parallel to Alzheimer’s disease (1:14:15);
Comparing the various COVID-19 vaccines and the impact of emerging variants of the virus (1:30:00);
Global vaccination challenges and “vaccine diplomacy” (1:40:45); and
More.

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