The arguments against routine vaccination are escalating. Just last week, a prominent lawyer associated with the RFK Jr. transition team publicly questioned the safety of the polio vaccine. Simultaneously, the long-debunked myth linking the measles vaccine to autism is resurging online due to high-profile interviews with known conspiracy theorists and leaders in the anti-vax movement. If RFK Jr. is confirmed as HHS Secretary, his firehose of disinformation will likely grow stronger and more dangerous. This is just the beginning of a renewed and troubling chapter in the ongoing vaccine discourse.
During this storm, we must ground ourselves in the irrefutable successes of vaccination, recognize the enduring trust in vaccines among the majority, and leverage the influence of trusted messengers, including school nurses, to safeguard public health.
Recognizing Vaccination Successes
The next four years will be a test of endurance, as fake controversies and conspiracy theories will dominate headlines, overshadowing the monumental achievements of vaccination. Yet, it is essential to remember: that vaccines have saved more lives in the past century than any other medical intervention.
Consider smallpox, a disease eradicated through vaccination after claiming millions of lives over centuries. Or polio, which once paralyzed tens of thousands annually in the United States alone, was brought to the brink of global eradication through sustained immunization campaigns. Vaccinations against fourteen childhood diseases have made them almost invisible over the last fifty years But this invisibility is a double-edged sword, as it can lead to complacency or even skepticism about the need for vaccines. We must ensure these victories remain at the forefront of public consciousness.
Despite the loud voices questioning vaccine safety or necessity, there is still trust and support for immunization, but the rates are declining and can fall below what is considered sufficient for herd immunity.
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93% of kindergarteners in the U.S. are up to date on their childhood vaccines.
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88% of parents believe the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is important for their children.
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Over 90% of children in the U.S. receive full polio immunization.
Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health
School Nurses: Trusted Messengers in Action
Among these trusted voices, school nurses stand out as vital messengers in the fight to protect routine vaccination. Embedded in our communities and directly connected to children and families, school nurses are uniquely positioned to dispel misinformation and advocate for immunization.
School nurses not only educate parents and students about the importance of vaccines but also identify gaps in immunization and facilitate access to necessary shots. We are often the first to spot outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, serving as an early warning system for public health. Our consistent, evidence-based communication is critical in maintaining trust and ensuring vaccination rates remain high.
To empower school nurses in this role, we need:
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Provide Robust Resources: Equip school nurses with clear, accessible materials to address common vaccine myths and questions effectively.
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Amplify Our Voices: Involve school nurses in broader public health campaigns and media outreach, highlighting their firsthand experience and authority.
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Strengthen Support Networks: Foster collaboration between school nurses, pediatricians, and public health agencies to create a unified message on vaccination.
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Protect Our Position: Advocate for policies that safeguard the essential role of school nurses in educational settings, ensuring they have the time and resources to fulfill their duties.
Looking Ahead
The challenges of the next few years will differ from those faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, where science evolved in real-time, routine vaccinations are backed by decades of robust research and safety data. What has changed is the sheer volume of questions and the increasingly divided values shaping public perception.
Public health leaders, including school nurses, must adapt their strategies to these new realities. This means embracing innovative communication tools, such as social media campaigns and short, engaging videos that convey the importance of vaccination (see the ask by Katelyn Jetelina linked below). It also means fostering local partnerships and leveraging community networks to ensure accurate information is shared from credible resources.
The road ahead will undoubtedly be messy and chaotic, but we must stay grounded in the science: vaccines save lives. The benefits far outweigh the risks, and the majority of people still support them. By amplifying the voices of trusted messengers like school nurses, celebrating the successes of immunization, and addressing doubts with compassion and clarity, we can ensure that routine vaccination remains a cornerstone of public health for generations to come.
Here is a step we can all take!
An Important Ask by Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE), Katelyn Jetelina
Trusted messengers, we need you
Trusted messengers – *school nurses, pediatricians, family doctors, community leaders, and friends and family—always play a vital role, and this will be especially true with vaccines in the upcoming years. Let’s leverage these relationships to ensure accurate, evidence-based information rises above the fray. People don’t need more data; they need educators, storytellers, and people to listen. They need an invitation to join the science.
Here is an FAQ we put together that can help guide conversations, anticipating concerns coming down the pipeline.
One in two people get healthcare-related information on social media. YLE is testing a new project—short videos that explain why we get the vaccines we do and show the data on what happened before and after the vaccines. The one below is on polio. Let Kristen Panthagani, the lead for this project, know if you have any input or advice. And share this video on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
*”School nurses” was added to this quote
Resources:
Routine_Vaccination_Questions_(8
Partnering for Vaccine Equity: 14 Diseases You Almost Forgot About Thanks to Vaccines
References:
RFK Hits Capitol Hill as Experts Warn His Anti-Vaccine Views Endanger Public Health
The Triumph of Science: The Incredible Story of Smallpox Eradication
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These are all fantastic resources.
School nurses are the megaphone for this issue. We have to be prepared to take this on and this is the way to do it .
One additional recommendation
Vaccinated by Paul Offit. A great read !
I added Dr. Offit’s book thank you!