A preservative removed from childhood vaccines 20 years ago is still causing controversy today − a drug safety expert explains

There’s no solid evidence that thimerosal harms children. It was removed from almost all vaccines more than 20 years ago out of an abundance of caution, but RFK Jr.’s hand-picked vaccine advisory committee is looking into it.

Terri Levien, Professor of Pharmacy, Washington State University • conversation
June 25, 2025 • ~8 min

RFK Jr’s shakeup of vaccine advisory committee raises worries about scientific integrity of health recommendations

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guides the CDC’s hand on vaccine policy, but some of its new members have voiced anti-vaccine views.

Santosh Kumar Gautam, Associate Professor of Development and Global Health Economics, University of Notre Dame • conversation
June 12, 2025 • ~11 min

Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks

Vaccine hesitancy isn’t a moral failure – it’s a property of a system in which people must balance personal and collective interests.

Avi Dor, Professor of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University • conversation
June 5, 2025 • ~10 min

FDA will approve COVID-19 vaccine only for older adults and high-risk groups – a public health expert explains the new rules

The FDA’s new framework for COVID-19 vaccines breaks from established procedure for how the government establishes vaccine guidelines.

Libby Richards, Professor of Nursing, Purdue University • conversation
May 21, 2025 • ~10 min

FDA limits access to COVID-19 vaccine to older adults and other high-risk groups – a public health expert explains the new rules

The FDA’s new framework for COVID-19 vaccines breaks from established procedure for how the government establishes vaccine guidelines.

Libby Richards, Professor of Nursing, Purdue University • conversation
May 21, 2025 • ~10 min

Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide

The US eliminated measles in 2000, but the number of cases at home and abroad has experts worried.

Rebecca Schein, Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Pediatrics, Michigan State University • conversation
May 7, 2025 • ~10 min

Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains

Complications from measles infection are surprisingly common.

Peter Kasson, Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
March 31, 2025 • ~6 min

Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected

A medical epidemiologist explains who should consider getting a booster and whether you might need to check your antibody levels.

Daniel Pastula, Professor of Neurology, Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Epidemiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
March 19, 2025 • ~10 min

Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study

Reading a pamphlet in the doctor’s office about which vaccines to get may help nudge older adults to get vaccinated.

Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Virginia • conversation
March 14, 2025 • ~5 min

Texas records first US measles death in 10 years – a medical epidemiologist explains how to protect yourself and your community from this deadly, preventable disease

As public health officials try to tame the outbreak, declining vaccination rates draw concern.

Daniel Pastula, Professor of Neurology, Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Epidemiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Feb. 28, 2025 • ~11 min

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