As also explained in the article, this likely also ends the last challenge to Connecticut's repeal of its religious exemption, by clarifying that the religious freedom restoration act Connecticut has does not require a religious exemption from school vaccines mandates.

"Connecticut Democrats flexed their majority muscles on Thursday evening, giving final passage to a fiercely debated vaccine bill with over a week still left to go in the legislative session.

The uncharacteristically early 22-12 Senate vote came just two days after the House voted 89-60 in favor of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said the chamber took it up so quickly because of the critical need for the state to address the alarming public health changes at the federal level.

“Attacks on vaccine science, cuts to public health infrastructure and measles outbreaks in states that have loosened their immunization standards demonstrate the need for urgency in Connecticut,” said Duff in a statement. “Connecticut has an obligation to act quickly and decisively. That is why we moved on this bill today.”
The proposal, backed by Gov. Ned Lamont, would expand the power of the state’s Public Health Commissioner to establish vaccine recommendations for both adults and children, guarantee insurance coverage of recommended shots and allow the agency to purchase doses from sources other than the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

When I was a child, I was hospitalized with rotavirus. I remember the smell of the exam room, the repeated needle sticks, days without eating or drinking normally. There was no vaccine then. There is one now. But many children still end up hospitalized.

Social media has been blaming the current rotavirus season on vaccine hesitancy. I understand the instinct. But the data tell a more complicated story, and getting the diagnosis wrong means investing in the wrong solutions.

Rotavirus vaccination has always lagged behind other routine vaccines. Not because parents refuse it at higher rates. This vaccine is uniquely vulnerable to access barriers. The series is front-loaded and time-sensitive. Miss the window, and there is no catch-up.

There is a much larger poverty gap for rotavirus vaccine than other routine vaccines. That pattern is not explained by hesitancy. It only becomes clear when you account for access barriers and a health system that makes it hardest to vaccinate the children who need it most.

If we blame low vaccination on refusal alone, we will spend our energy on myth-busting campaigns that do nothing for the family whose Medicaid lapsed or who can’t find a primary care doctor taking new patients.

Full piece at Community Immunity.

🔗 Link in comments.

Signal-to-Noise: Toward an Alternative Account of the ‘Fake News’ Phenomenon (Preprint to 'Misinformation and other Epistemic Pathologies,' Cambridge University Press):

https://lnkd.in/dcNpV4Ye

Glimpse: This essay refutes the conventional wisdom that claims fake news primarily undermines democracy by directly influencing or misleading people into adopting incorrect views. Instead, it contends that by reducing the overall signal-to-noise ratio in the information ecosystem, fake news can be harmful without altering opinions at all. Users are less exposed to a variety of viewpoints as a result of this deterioration in information quality, which pushes them to abandon large, inclusive platforms in favor of more selective ones that are thought to be more trustworthy. As a result, public discourse becomes less representative and polarization rises, undermining democratic deliberation. The study goes on to say that portraying fake news as an "epidemic" would be detrimental since it might lead people to retreat into echo chambers and reduce their epistemic networks, which would ultimately make the issues it aims to solve worse.

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Free articles and analyses on soft counter-extremism, against online hate, and on the theory of mis-/disinformation (usually third-party content). 

The most recent LinkedIn posts on the above subjects, with glimpses, can be accessed via: 
• https://lnkd.in/eBarZAew

Two-week reviews available via the following three Policyinstitute.net websites: 
• counter-terrorism.org
• preventhate.org
• strategism.org

The views expressed in this post is that of the author(s) of the source content and do not necessarily represent those of Policyinstitute.net and its staff. While we carefully produce the glimpses to the articles, documents, or recordings that we hyperlink, we are not responsible for textual changes nor for imponderable parts of the original items. 

#policyinstitutenet #preventradicalization #preventextremism #counterextremism #preventhate #disinformation #misinformation

Over 3.5 billion child deaths averted by vaccines 1974-2024 worldwide, leading offenders are measles and tetanus.

Picture: Graph showing deaths averted.

Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, former ACIP member, speaking in PAS.

Flowchart showing development of vaccine recommendations and testing: reminder - the first stage, development and testing, takes 5-10 years, and over 80% don’t make it through.

Once vaccines get to fda/cdc, they have been thoroughly tested.

Via Dr. Yvonne Maldonado.

Another day, another infuriating example of why MAHA is a viscious misnomer.

If Kennedy practiced medicine, which thankfully he doesn't, this would be malpractice. It is not fake news or hyperbole to say that Kennedy's ignorance is causing melanoma patients to suffer or die.

Congress is complicit. Kennedy is wreaking havoc without accountability. None. In a functional government by and for the people, Kennedy would never have the power he does. By any standard of public health and safety, he should be shown the door.

https://lnkd.in/eyqAKCGT

Misinformation Span Detection in Videos via Audio Transcripts (arXiv):

https://lnkd.in/dumNvHTB

Glimpse: Due to the size and complexity of videos, online disinformation presents significant concerns, ranging from political division to harm to public health. Previous research has concentrated on labeling entire movies as deceptive, providing little information about the locations and methods of disinformation. By presenting two new datasets that match video transcripts with annotated parts that contain erroneous assertions, this study fills that gap. The datasets, which include 2,400 annotated segments and more than 500 films, allow for precise "misinformation span identification." With an F1 score of 0.68, the suggested method finds deceptive video portions using cutting-edge language models. To aid in future research, all datasets, transcripts, audio, and videos are made available to the public.

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Free articles and analyses on soft counter-extremism, against online hate, and on the theory of mis-/disinformation (usually third-party content). 

The most recent LinkedIn posts on the above subjects, with glimpses, can be accessed via: 
• https://lnkd.in/eBarZAew

Two-week reviews available via the following three Policyinstitute.net websites: 
• counter-terrorism.org
• preventhate.org
• strategism.org

The views expressed in this post is that of the author(s) of the source content and do not necessarily represent those of Policyinstitute.net and its staff. While we carefully produce the glimpses to the articles, documents, or recordings that we hyperlink, we are not responsible for textual changes nor for imponderable parts of the original items. 

#policyinstitutenet #preventradicalization #preventextremism #counterextremism #preventhate #disinformation #misinformation

IMMUNISATION: Misinformation is driving a serious decline in vaccination rates among children and the elderly, risking
the return of conditions long eradicated.
Last week, AMA launched a national social media campaign, called Have the Jab Chat, aimed at encouraging those hesistant to get vaccinated to consult with their GP.
You can read more about it here:
https://lnkd.in/gXrWNp65
Thanks to AMA (NSW) vice president Dr Fred Betros for talking to today's Sunday Telegraph on the issue. To read the article, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ghv3QjjT

"Sean Hartman’s death at 17 was a tragedy. I have no doubt his father is sincerely hurting, and I am sorry. But even if he had stronger evidence for causation, he did not make a case for suing the Ontario government either in negligence or bad faith. 
He did not show bad faith at all, and a policy based on public health does not provide grounds to sue in negligence, even if an individual is hurt, since by their nature, such policies need to balance risks and benefits for the public, not one individual. Anger is not enough in law; he would have had to show a specific duty to Sean that was violated, not just unhappiness with public health policy that Mr. Dan Hartman thinks was incorrect. That duty was not there." 

Over 100 million vaccine doses have been delivered to an estimated 18.3 million children aged 1 to 5 across 36 countries through the Big Catch-Up campaign since its launch in 2023.

Vaccines protect against more than 30 diseases and even some cancers, including cervical cancer. They have improved infant survival by 40% over the past 50 years and protected tens of millions of children from lifelong disabilities.

On #WorldImmunizationWeek, I call on countries to sustain and expand vaccination coverage at every age, protecting children from dying, safeguarding adolescents’ futures, and supporting longer, healthier lives for older generations.

https://lnkd.in/eEKXENES | 13 comments on LinkedIn

Today, after an insightful discussion with Yevgenii Grechukha, we came to a simple but important clarification worth sharing:

🛡️ Vaccination, Immunization, or Immunoprophylaxis - what’s the difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably.
From an evidence-based perspective, however, they represent distinct concepts.

Let’s break them down clearly.

1. VACCINATION - the ACTION 💉
Vaccination is a technical procedure.
It is the act of administering a vaccine: by injection, oral drops, or nasal spray.

* Essence: A proactive intervention;
* Goal: Deliver an antigen (an “instruction” for the immune system);
* Outcome: Initiation of a specific immune response.

👉 Simply put: “I went to a clinic and got vaccinated against influenza.”

2. IMMUNIZATION - the PROCESS & OUTCOME 🧬

Immunization is a broader concept.
It refers to acquiring immune protection - regardless of how it is achieved.

* Essence: Biological protection.
* Pathways: Natural infection, maternal antibodies, or immunobiological products.
* Key point: Modern health systems increasingly move from “vaccination schedules” to “immunization schedules”, incorporating not only vaccines but also newer tools (e.g., monoclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus - RSV).

👉 Simply put: “Immunity can be achieved in different ways, but proactive use of immunobiological tools helps prevent severe disease.”

3. IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS - the STRATEGY 📋

Immunoprophylaxis operates at the system level.
It is how a country organizes population protection.

* Essence: Public health planning and safety.
* Includes:
* National immunization schedules;
* Procurement and quality control (including cold chain);
* Safety monitoring and epidemiological surveillance.

👉 Simply put: “A strong immunoprophylaxis program prevents outbreaks, such as measles.”

💡 In summary:

* ✅ Vaccination → the tool
* 🎯 Immunization → the goal
* 📋 Immunoprophylaxis → the system

We vaccinate to achieve immunization - and we rely on immunoprophylaxis to stay protected at the population level.

P.S. If these terms are sometimes confused - that’s normal.
What matters is using them correctly when it counts.

Vaccines work... That’s not the problem.

In the Americas, the real challenge today is far more complex: trust, data, and the speed at which information moves. 🌎

In my latest article, I explore how vaccine hesitancy, fragmented data ecosystems, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of immunization in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This is not just about coverage. It’s about whether our systems are ready for the next generation of public health. 💉📊🤖

Curious to hear your thoughts.

#Immunization #WorldImmunizationWeek #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth #DigitalHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #AIforHealth #HealthData #HealthSystems #HealthPolicy #VaccineConfidence #VaccineHesitancy #DataGovernance #Interoperability #LatinAmerica #Caribbean #GlobalHealth #HealthInnovation #ResponsibleAI #PublicSectorInnovation

World Immunization Week: A Lifesaving Shield for the Global Community

World Immunization Week, observed annually during the last week of April, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of vaccines. It aims to maximize the protective power of immunization by promoting their use across all ages, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can live a healthy and protected life from preventable diseases.


Key Aspects of Immunization Advocacy:

•Vaccines Save Lives: They have been the cornerstone of public health, successfully eradicating smallpox and bringing other deadly diseases like polio and measles to the brink of extinction. Every year, vaccines prevent 2-3 million deaths worldwide.

•Preventing Disability and Disease: Immunization is a proactive shield, stopping severe illnesses and potential long-term disabilities caused by infections like meningitis, HPV-related cancers, and severe pneumonia.

•Protecting Communities (Herd Immunity): When a high percentage of the population is vaccinated, it creates a protective buffer, or herd immunity, breaking the chain of transmission and safeguarding those who are most vulnerable, including newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems who cannot be vaccinated.

•A Life-Course Approach: Immunization isn't just for children. World Immunization Week highlights the importance of vaccines throughout life, from crucial childhood boosters to adult vaccinations for diseases like the flu, shingles, and pneumonia.

•Innovation and Access: The campaign also spotlights the vital role of continuous scientific research in developing new vaccines and the urgent need to ensure equitable access to these life-saving tools for all communities, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach regions.


#RFCSR#WorldImmunizationWeek #VaccinesWork #LongLifeForAll #PublicHealth #SaveLives #HerdImmunity #GlobalHealth #ImmunizationMatters #EndPrevntableDiseases #ScienceForGood

Australian Medical Association please look at the evidence on the barriers to uptake and what strategies work to guide solutions - see my comment below 👇

Every US$1 invested in immunization returns up to US$40.

Under-immunization costs Africa US$20–30 billion a year.

This African Vaccination Week, my message is simple: immunization is not an expenditure. It is an investment in sovereignty, stability, and growth.

Vaccines protect families. Vaccines protect economies. Vaccines protect Africa's future.

#AVW2026 #HealthSecurity

Peter Hotez MD PhD DSc(hon) posted images on LinkedIn

⛳ For every generation, vaccines work.
This is the 2026 theme for the European Immunisation Week

🔍 Fifteen years after the introduction of HPV vaccination programmes across Europe, growing evidence confirms their long‑term effectiveness. A new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows steady and encouraging progress in cancer prevention across the EU/EEA.

🖊️ Medical writers have a crucial role to play.
By clearly and accurately communicating the evidence behind vaccination programmes, medical writers help bridge science, policy, and the public—supporting informed decisions, countering misinformation, and ensuring that the life‑saving value of vaccines is understood across generations.

🎯 How is your country performing in vaccination coverage?
Check out the interactive European vaccination coverage dashboard
https://lnkd.in/dWvkBcMc

European Immunisation Week is a powerful reminder that protecting health today and preventing disease tomorrow depends on collective commitment, strong communication, and sustained action.

💉EMWA supports medical writers’ knowledge of vaccines. Our foundation workshop MSF10a - Introduction to Vaccines with Sergey Sulima, PhD, CMPP™ is being held at EMWA’s 61st Spring Conference.
Wednesday 6th May
13.30 - 17.00 CET
Barcelona

Book today to secure your place!

🛜 https://lnkd.in/exQarMJd

Image credits: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

#EuropeanImmunisationWeek #CancerPrevention #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth #MedicalWriting #ScienceCommunication #EMWA #EuropeanCentreforDiseasePreventionandControl

World Immunisation Week begins today, and with flu season upon us, it’s a great time to check your immunisation record 🤧⏰

The World Health Organization suggests:
🌟 seeing if you are due for any seasonal vaccines, boosters or catch-up doses. Call your doctor or view your immunisation history statement in MyHealth Record. 💉
🌟 encouraging family members to do the same, especially children, older relatives, and anyone at higher health risk 📞
🌟 use trusted information when sharing health advice online, such as from Queensland Health and National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), including Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) 🎯
🌟 finding out about Hepatitis B protection and why vaccination can matter for lifelong liver health 💡

Your decision makes a difference. Speak to your doctor today.

➡️ https://lnkd.in/gHUD4JDu

listening to Stephan Lewandowsky talking about the negative impact of vaccine hesitancy at a UWA Public Policy Institute talk and how misinformaion can erode society's health

We are being told liver disease is rising because people are drinking more. But the data says something very different. Across both the UK and the USA, alcohol consumption is falling, younger people are drinking less, and abstinence is increasing—yet toxic liver disease, liver failure, and hepatic admissions continue to rise.

=================================================
Why Is Toxic Liver Disease Rising Across Every Age Group?
Thursday 7th May, 2026 at 7PM UK time
https://lnkd.in/edNVpCtw
=================================================

So what is actually driving this shift? In this presentation, I break down NHS hospital data, ICD-10 K71 toxic liver disease, and why the liver may be reflecting something much bigger: immune dysfunction, metabolic collapse, gut-liver inflammation, and post-pandemic physiological change.

========================================================
Are you Ready for Probiotics?
Gut Readiness Assessment
https://lnkd.in/ezPm4wht
========================================================

Post Pandemic Dashboard Snapshot
https://lnkd.in/edYyRgGu
============================================

You can also find us Here:

Substack: https://lnkd.in/ejXM5s68
Videos: https://lnkd.in/g3vJ8uXx
Courses: https://lnkd.in/ecmtMKhz
Rumble: https://lnkd.in/gG_HmbdN

#covid #medicine #research

Take a look at the part where vaccines are required, available, and optional. The difference is clear: When you don't require vaccines, people won't get them. This seems like a truism, but it's more a function of "out of sight, out of mind" than not wanting to get the vaccine. California saw a rise in immunized children when it got rid of "philosophical" or "religious" exemptions from vaccination.

We see it all the time in other public health interventions. This is more critical because unvaccinated caregivers of vulnerable populations can be a threat to their patients' health.

The full study is here: https://lnkd.in/ezSJ5iJm