Dr. Richard Besser

Dr. Richard Besser, the former acting CDC director and public health expert, presents compelling insights on the recent CDC decision to end routine hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. He raises alarms about potential future outbreaks and the implications for public trust in the CDC. The conversation also touches on the importance of shared decision-making in public health and critiques the procedural chaos surrounding the advisory panel's vote, emphasizing the need for clarity and credibility in health guidelines.

Dr. Richard E. Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, discusses the turmoil at the CDC amid leadership changes. He highlights how layoffs have impacted chronic disease research and warns about the erosion of public trust due to budget cuts. Besser emphasizes the dangers of politicization in vaccine policy, particularly the disbanding of the CDC's vaccine committee. The conversation delves into the implications of varying state vaccine policies on national health efforts and community responses.

Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, dives into President Biden’s revamped approach to combat COVID-19. He discusses the urgent push for vaccine mandates amid rising cases and the Delta variant, emphasizing the political ramifications. Besser also unpacks the complexities of the booster shot debate, differentiating between those who need extra doses and the general vaccinated population. His insights show the pressing need for a united public health strategy to tackle ongoing vaccine hesitancy.