Leading up to this meeting, we heard discussions of the recommendations for giving the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns. Something most Americans, unless someone recently gave birth in their family. Hepatitis B?!
Instead, recommendations on the contentious Measles-Mumps-Chicken Pox combination at birth. This was also something as a doge, as one doctor explained that this was simply a "tweek" in current policy. But it did put measles on the table.
And, as of today, its official, literally: the decimated NIH, FDA, CDC are no longer making health policy mandates. The White House is so pleased with RFK and his fiery and entertaining (bring out the popcorn and diet coke!) hearings and statements that he's made him the official and sole arbitrator of the nation's health and medicine.
Vaccines caused autism? Nah, too much blowback, from too many sources. Hmm...what else can we find -- we promised an answer in September from those who are not researchers or doctors but play one in their basements. Find some unsubstantiated, unreplicated, study, and aha!
We can blame big pharma, doctors, and of course the mothers themselves for taking...Tylenol.
More readily available and more widely ingested than crack cocaine, its back to Bruno Bettelheim and the ("cold") mother. You had COVID, and a high temperature that could have harmed both you and the fetus? Well, you should have taken that risk -- just like the women who needed a medically essential "abortion" and dared to expect that they could get one.
Like a carny-barker: come inside the government and see what's next in our attack on science, medicine, and the health of you and your children! See the junking of science, and our new junk science approved exhibition. Get a free American flag, and purchase a newly minted bitcoin featuring the White House Department of Health and newly created cabinet member RFK on it.
If this doesn't scare us all to our souls, and propel us to action, I don't know what will.
What to do? Let Republicans who only want the power of the throne to trickle down to them that royalty cares not for its sycophants either. Once installed, they are free of any constraints and can make declarations -- just like this one. The Trump administration has created a growing mass of alienated and angry voters, whether caused by the broken promises of the inauguration on Epstein or the economy, or the dismay at open (and not subtle, everyday racism, found in Trump voters), the surprise that government is controlling what they can watch in their own homes, or the betrayal of the traditional Republican values of "less" government. Tell them that this will mean that they may be "primaried", if Trump is even interested, but even the MAGA adherents will not vote for either. And so, by absence or purpose, these cowardly, selfish, in Republican or Conservative name only will be kicked off the gravy train they are riding on.
Write to Speaker Johnson, or Majority Leader Thune -- anyone can, you don't have to be a constituent.
Reach out to your friends, family and neighbors who are/were Trump supporters. You don't have to argue! Have what I call a "pause moment". When talking to anti-vaccination friend, I asked: "so how will you feel when your grandson goes to pre-K and half the class is not vaccinated?"
Or, if your pregnant daughter gets the flu this winter, do you want her not to be afraid to take Tylenol for the aches, pains and fever?" Maybe we can get a few to hold their nose and vote Democrat, even if their district has been gerrymandered?
Thank you for your detailed reporting. The interview with the ironworkers’ leader, the HepB explanation and this one are fine examples of what we need to understand and make decisions.
The ACIP meeting was so bad from a scientific stand point.
I'm a PhD chemist, not a epidemiologist/virologist, but I know statistics and basic scientific principles. The committee members clearly showed they did not.
The worst offender was Retsef Levi who when discussing HepB demonstrated that the couldn't read a graph, and literally asked why we should immunize children (at all) since the rate of HepB infection is so low....after the introduction of the HepB vaccine in 1991. FFS. (You can listen to him, and hear the stunned silence afterwards, in the Thursday meeting at 3h:24m: https://www.youtube.com/live/-6uBNXsYRHQ)
But the discussion on COVID went to another level. It was anti-vaxx talking points all the way down. Making claims that no one could "prove" the efficacy of the COVID vaccines, or that because they didn't completely prevent disease, that they were useless.
Quite frankly, it was at the level of a 6th grade science fair, not of professional scientists and physicians.
". . . because they didn't completely prevent disease, that they were useless." Of all the idiotic taking points against vaccines, this one irks me most. Air traffic control does not eliminate all aircraft accidents, so let's abolish the FAA.
"Air traffic control does not eliminate all aircraft accidents, so let's abolish the FAA."
This is the logic of ignorance. In a world of increasing complexity, there's a ever widening gap between the laity and experts on what individuals can know and understand. This gap in knowledge creates frustration and insecurity; therefore, burning it all down becomes the solution, because it would take time and effort to weed through the nuances to work towards a problem.
I'd file an appeal, since the vaccine is approved for those under 65 with a chronic condition that places them at increased risk of a bad outcome if they catch COVID (and asthma qualifies!).
This new panel handpicked by a unqualified conspiracy theorist will cause harm and death to many. As for mullin he obviously took too many hits to the head in his MMA days.
who knew america had so many village idiots...magats don't understand diseases, as well as science is apolitical...you can't bend these to your political views...
as for mullin...another mediocre lying white man in love with his voice as it echoes in his colon
"Modesty about your basic knowledge would help.” Per Stanley Plotkin, who developed the rubella vaccine in the 1960's. I would like this audience, nay, the entire country's voting populace, to consider this recommendation and apply it to the entire current administration. And to ourselves. Modesty about our basic knowledge is a wise consideration. That means "us" and "we the people". Perhaps those are two different political entities, but they shouldn't be. Consider the concept of "Modesty about our basic knowledge".
I got a COVID booster and my annual flu shot yesterday which was the first weekend they were available. Everyone in line said the same thing, “We are getting them now as we don’t know if we will be able to get them in the future”. Ugh.
That's what I did. I RAN to my HMO to grab the first available time slot, on Wednesday. Having heard they were floating the idea of pushing the age up to 75, as maybe part of their Friday vaccinolgy show and tell. That would have put me somewhere between condemned and a prayer. But as for next year, who can say? Yikes.
So many people have left comments on my previous post about my personal experience in a polio epidemic with the point being not only the devastation of the disease but mainly the scientific miracle of the Salk/Sabin vaccine that should be celebrated. You can read the continuation of the article on my substacks, plus I'm hoping the Bulwark will post it on everyone's phone so that knowing the science of a viruses can swipe against the ignorance that is heartbreaking. You can read my memoir that came out last March, Itching to Love, the Story of a Dog. I'm giving all the royalties to NPR and dog rescues. So feel free to gift this book, it's good for at least two laughs!
I Googled Retsef Levi. He has zero qualifications in medicine. Why was he appointed ?
I live in AZ and MI. Got the shot in MI. I will try to appeal it.
I very much appreciate your excellent reporting.
https://www.maybemito.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2025_TK2d+HCP_Nonbranded+Condition+HCP+Core_PSC00020%3BS%3BPH%3BUB%3BIMM%3BHCP%3BCON&utm_content=General+%E2%80%93+Mito&utm_term=mitochondrial+disease&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22360257970&gclid=Cj0KCQjw58PGBhCkARIsADbDilwCbHmuKecy4qSzgOq0lc_H5CaV2kL6lAYiAFyBXGuFXLEhQPYKwCoaApzKEALw_wcB
And once again, the bait and switch.
Leading up to this meeting, we heard discussions of the recommendations for giving the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns. Something most Americans, unless someone recently gave birth in their family. Hepatitis B?!
Instead, recommendations on the contentious Measles-Mumps-Chicken Pox combination at birth. This was also something as a doge, as one doctor explained that this was simply a "tweek" in current policy. But it did put measles on the table.
And, as of today, its official, literally: the decimated NIH, FDA, CDC are no longer making health policy mandates. The White House is so pleased with RFK and his fiery and entertaining (bring out the popcorn and diet coke!) hearings and statements that he's made him the official and sole arbitrator of the nation's health and medicine.
Vaccines caused autism? Nah, too much blowback, from too many sources. Hmm...what else can we find -- we promised an answer in September from those who are not researchers or doctors but play one in their basements. Find some unsubstantiated, unreplicated, study, and aha!
We can blame big pharma, doctors, and of course the mothers themselves for taking...Tylenol.
More readily available and more widely ingested than crack cocaine, its back to Bruno Bettelheim and the ("cold") mother. You had COVID, and a high temperature that could have harmed both you and the fetus? Well, you should have taken that risk -- just like the women who needed a medically essential "abortion" and dared to expect that they could get one.
Like a carny-barker: come inside the government and see what's next in our attack on science, medicine, and the health of you and your children! See the junking of science, and our new junk science approved exhibition. Get a free American flag, and purchase a newly minted bitcoin featuring the White House Department of Health and newly created cabinet member RFK on it.
If this doesn't scare us all to our souls, and propel us to action, I don't know what will.
What to do? Let Republicans who only want the power of the throne to trickle down to them that royalty cares not for its sycophants either. Once installed, they are free of any constraints and can make declarations -- just like this one. The Trump administration has created a growing mass of alienated and angry voters, whether caused by the broken promises of the inauguration on Epstein or the economy, or the dismay at open (and not subtle, everyday racism, found in Trump voters), the surprise that government is controlling what they can watch in their own homes, or the betrayal of the traditional Republican values of "less" government. Tell them that this will mean that they may be "primaried", if Trump is even interested, but even the MAGA adherents will not vote for either. And so, by absence or purpose, these cowardly, selfish, in Republican or Conservative name only will be kicked off the gravy train they are riding on.
Write to Speaker Johnson, or Majority Leader Thune -- anyone can, you don't have to be a constituent.
Reach out to your friends, family and neighbors who are/were Trump supporters. You don't have to argue! Have what I call a "pause moment". When talking to anti-vaccination friend, I asked: "so how will you feel when your grandson goes to pre-K and half the class is not vaccinated?"
Or, if your pregnant daughter gets the flu this winter, do you want her not to be afraid to take Tylenol for the aches, pains and fever?" Maybe we can get a few to hold their nose and vote Democrat, even if their district has been gerrymandered?
"Keep hope alive"
Thank you for your detailed reporting. The interview with the ironworkers’ leader, the HepB explanation and this one are fine examples of what we need to understand and make decisions.
The ACIP meeting was so bad from a scientific stand point.
I'm a PhD chemist, not a epidemiologist/virologist, but I know statistics and basic scientific principles. The committee members clearly showed they did not.
The worst offender was Retsef Levi who when discussing HepB demonstrated that the couldn't read a graph, and literally asked why we should immunize children (at all) since the rate of HepB infection is so low....after the introduction of the HepB vaccine in 1991. FFS. (You can listen to him, and hear the stunned silence afterwards, in the Thursday meeting at 3h:24m: https://www.youtube.com/live/-6uBNXsYRHQ)
But the discussion on COVID went to another level. It was anti-vaxx talking points all the way down. Making claims that no one could "prove" the efficacy of the COVID vaccines, or that because they didn't completely prevent disease, that they were useless.
Quite frankly, it was at the level of a 6th grade science fair, not of professional scientists and physicians.
Let's not insult 6th graders.
". . . because they didn't completely prevent disease, that they were useless." Of all the idiotic taking points against vaccines, this one irks me most. Air traffic control does not eliminate all aircraft accidents, so let's abolish the FAA.
"Air traffic control does not eliminate all aircraft accidents, so let's abolish the FAA."
This is the logic of ignorance. In a world of increasing complexity, there's a ever widening gap between the laity and experts on what individuals can know and understand. This gap in knowledge creates frustration and insecurity; therefore, burning it all down becomes the solution, because it would take time and effort to weed through the nuances to work towards a problem.
Just got my Covid shot - insurance would not pay for it because it’s “not medically necessary” for people under age 65 ( I have asthma). It cost $238
Yikes! Sorry to hear that. What State are you in? Other than "enraged"?
I'd file an appeal, since the vaccine is approved for those under 65 with a chronic condition that places them at increased risk of a bad outcome if they catch COVID (and asthma qualifies!).
This new panel handpicked by a unqualified conspiracy theorist will cause harm and death to many. As for mullin he obviously took too many hits to the head in his MMA days.
who knew america had so many village idiots...magats don't understand diseases, as well as science is apolitical...you can't bend these to your political views...
as for mullin...another mediocre lying white man in love with his voice as it echoes in his colon
"Modesty about your basic knowledge would help.” Per Stanley Plotkin, who developed the rubella vaccine in the 1960's. I would like this audience, nay, the entire country's voting populace, to consider this recommendation and apply it to the entire current administration. And to ourselves. Modesty about our basic knowledge is a wise consideration. That means "us" and "we the people". Perhaps those are two different political entities, but they shouldn't be. Consider the concept of "Modesty about our basic knowledge".
There’s no shortage of stupidity in this administration, but what RFK & co. are inflicting is its own special kind of truly moronic cretinism.
Hail Freedonia.
I got a COVID booster and my annual flu shot yesterday which was the first weekend they were available. Everyone in line said the same thing, “We are getting them now as we don’t know if we will be able to get them in the future”. Ugh.
That's what I did. I RAN to my HMO to grab the first available time slot, on Wednesday. Having heard they were floating the idea of pushing the age up to 75, as maybe part of their Friday vaccinolgy show and tell. That would have put me somewhere between condemned and a prayer. But as for next year, who can say? Yikes.
Same here!
My right arm is a little sore from the flu shot and totally/completely worth it! :)
So many people have left comments on my previous post about my personal experience in a polio epidemic with the point being not only the devastation of the disease but mainly the scientific miracle of the Salk/Sabin vaccine that should be celebrated. You can read the continuation of the article on my substacks, plus I'm hoping the Bulwark will post it on everyone's phone so that knowing the science of a viruses can swipe against the ignorance that is heartbreaking. You can read my memoir that came out last March, Itching to Love, the Story of a Dog. I'm giving all the royalties to NPR and dog rescues. So feel free to gift this book, it's good for at least two laughs!
www.shelleymickle.com
This committee is a pitiful example of what Trump has to offer.
The chaos created by their actions will befuddle even the most seasoned physicians and the vaccine recommendations will be disastrous.