Misinformation is eroding the foundation of public health

Robert M. Califf, MD, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), noted at the end of his term that misinformation was a priority during his tenure; however, COVID-19 vaccines have dissuaded people from getting the vaccine and contributed to preventable deaths. The Incoming Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr (RFK Jr), which includes the FDA, has now stated that there are not sufficient vaccine safety studies, falsely asserted the government doesn’t have good vaccine safety monitoring, and that we don’t have good science on almost everything, including vaccines. Additionally, he refused to acknowledge the scientific consensus that childhood vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) do not cause autism. Pharmaceutical sponsors study vaccines in clinical trials under an Investigational New Drug Application, which extensively tests vaccines, analyzing thousands of subjects’ data for safety and efficacy. Many vaccines have been available for years without reported safety concerns. Conducting comprehensive clinical trials, monitoring, and reporting vaccine safety data are considered good science. Effective communication about vaccines is crucial as we become increasingly interconnected through world travel, social media, and the internet. Providing accurate information and fostering trust that supports good clinical and scientific knowledge prevents confusion from unsupported statements, such as social media, that can create misinformation. The FDA approves the official prescribing information and fact sheet for vaccines, ensuring they are accurate and well-documented to prevent misinformation. Responsible health science communication must be correct, transparent, and inclusive to the public. Vaccination is a fundamental principle of public health, and clear communication is the basis of mitigating vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and disinformation. Without this, misinformation will erode the foundation of public health.