“Journalism has never been more important than it is today, when the concept of a shared set of facts is being contested,” said Dr. Richard Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Besser made the remarks during a recent national briefing organized by American Community Media titled Mapping the Vaccine Landscape. The discussion focused on growing confusion surrounding vaccine policy in the United States and the potential consequences for public health.
At the center of the conversation was the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a scientific advisory panel that has traditionally reviewed research and issued recommendations about vaccines used in the United States. The committee’s guidance influences how vaccines such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are recommended across the country and helps shape the vaccination schedules followed by doctors and health systems.
Rising Skepticism and Public Health Concerns
During the briefing, Dr. Besser warned that public trust in vaccines has declined significantly in recent years. Vaccine hesitancy has grown nationwide, with surveys indicating that roughly one in six parents have delayed or skipped a recommended vaccine for their children.
For Dr. Besser, this trend is troubling because vaccines have historically been one of the most effective tools in modern medicine.
“During my more than 30 years as a pediatrician,” he said, “there was nothing that I did that had more proven value in protecting the health of my patients than ensuring they were vaccinated fully and on time.”
However, the public environment surrounding vaccines has become more complicated. According to Dr. Besser, mistrust grew during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been intensified by political debates surrounding vaccines and public health policy.
“It’s hard for me to see the path toward restoring the trust that was damaged,” he told journalists.
Controversy Over Vaccine Advisory Changes
The briefing also addressed recent changes in the federal vaccine advisory process. Last year, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy dismissed the existing ACIP members and replaced them with new appointees, some of whom critics say hold skeptical views about vaccines.
These changes have led to controversial recommendations involving several vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. Some proposals have suggested limiting eligibility for certain vaccines or removing long-standing recommendations.
Dr. Besser expressed deep concern about these developments.
“The committee that was there was disbanded,” he said. “The current committee is loaded with anti-vaccine zealots. That does not put them in a position to provide sound recommendations for the nation.”
In response, several medical organizations have begun issuing their own guidance. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, has released independent recommendations to help physicians and families navigate the growing confusion.
Why Vaccine Confidence Matters
Public health experts warn that declining vaccination rates could have serious consequences. Diseases that had once been nearly eliminated in the United States, including measles, have begun to reappear.
Dr. Besser explained that vaccines protect not only individuals but also entire communities by preventing outbreaks.
“If you are not vaccinated,” he said, “measles will find you, and measles will infect you.”
The risk becomes even greater when vaccination levels fall across entire communities. Without widespread immunization, diseases can spread quickly, particularly among children.
Another example discussed during the briefing was the hepatitis B vaccine. Dr. Besser described it as a major medical breakthrough because it not only prevents infection but also reduces the risk of liver cancer later in life.
“This vaccine is essentially an anti-cancer vaccine,” he said, emphasizing that early vaccination helped dramatically reduce hepatitis B cases in the United States.
The Role of Community Leaders and Trusted Voices
While the challenges are significant, Dr. Besser believes solutions are possible. One of the most important steps is rebuilding trust through credible information and local engagement.
He encouraged families to seek medical advice from trusted healthcare professionals rather than relying on political voices.
“My advice is not to take your medical advice from politicians,” he said. “If you have a doctor or healthcare provider you trust, ask them your questions.”
Dr. Besser also emphasized the importance of community leaders, journalists, and faith organizations in sharing accurate information about vaccines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the most effective outreach efforts involved partnerships with churches, community centers, and local leaders who could address the concerns of their communities directly.
“People need to hear information from sources they trust,” he said.
A Path Forward
Despite the controversy and confusion surrounding vaccine policy today, Dr. Besser believes communities can rebuild confidence in public health through education, transparency, and open dialogue.
Clear communication between families and healthcare providers will play a critical role in helping parents make informed decisions about their children’s health.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: protecting lives.
“There’s nothing more tragic,” Dr. Besser said, “than a child getting a disease that could have been prevented by a simple shot.”