Concerns Mount Over New Appointments to Key Vaccine Advisory panel
The landscape of public health recommendations is facing scrutiny as the Department of Health and human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently appointed five new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee holds immense power, shaping national vaccination guidelines. However, growing concerns center around the qualifications – and, critically, the publicly stated views – of these appointees.
Many observers, including medical professionals, are questioning whether these individuals possess the necessary expertise to guide crucial immunization policy. Furthermore, a meaningful number have demonstrably expressed skepticism towards vaccines, raising fears about the future direction of ACIP recommendations.
It’s one thing to identify differing medical opinions; it’s another to meticulously examine the basis for those views. Let’s look at some specifics:
* Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist, actively contributed to groups disseminating misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and promoting unproven alternative treatments.
* Evelyn Griffin, a louisiana physician, lost her employment due to refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
* Hillary Blackburn, a pharmacist, has a notable familial connection to Senator Marsha Blackburn, raising questions about potential political influence.
* Raymond Pollak, described as “semi-retired,” lacks specific, focused expertise in the field of vaccines despite being a transplant surgeon.
However, the appointment drawing perhaps the most intense criticism is that of Catherine Stein.
Stein currently serves as a professor at Case Western Reserve University’s department of Population & Quantitative Health. Previously, reports highlighted her advocacy against vaccine mandates.
Specifically, a 2021 article penned by Stein argued against fearing COVID-19 infection, citing religious grounds: “Our Lord has given us a mission to share the gospel. If we live in fear of death, that weakens our testimony.Remember, the Lord Jesus did not fear lepers, and leprosy was (and continues to be) a highly contagious infectious disease.”
This reasoning is deeply problematic for several reasons:
* Leprosy is, actually, not a highly contagious disease, with approximately 95% of the population possessing natural immunity.
* Equating a historically feared, now manageable disease with a novel, rapidly spreading virus demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of epidemiology and public health.
* Suggesting faith as a substitute for evidence-based medical practice is dangerous and irresponsible.
Considering this outlook, it’s reasonable to question why Stein believes she should be involved in medical decision-making at all. Certainly, the last individuals we need advising the nation on immunization practices are those advocating for approaches that prioritize faith over science.
ACIP is scheduled to convene in the coming days. You can expect discussions covering the full spectrum of vaccine schedules, from MMR and Hep B to the ongoing COVID-19 protocols. The medical community is understandably anxious, carefully watching to see how these new appointments will influence future recommendations.
These developments underscore the critical importance of ensuring that those shaping public health policy are grounded in scientific rigor and dedicated to protecting the health of all citizens. Your health, and the health of your community, may depend on it.
Filed Under: ACIP, Catherine Stein, CDC, Denialists
