We are hearing a lot about measles on the news. The escalating cases. The unprecedented deaths. The tragic repercussions of the anti-vaxxers and Kennedy in particular It has become a war between those who fear vaccines and those who demand that everyone get every vaccine we have. Two extremes fighting it out, as the sensible middle falls prey to this battle and media scare campaign.

Yes, measles is preventable with vaccination, but are we in the midst of a health crisis because some parents choose not to vaccinate their kids? And is this a case of public health exigency whereby parents should be forced to vaccinate? As of now the CDC reports 5 total measles deaths nationwide in 2026. There were 3 deaths in 2025. All are in the unvaccinated, one at least in an infant too young for vaccination, none in any who who ever received a vaccination. Meanwhile, in 2026, 1000 people die every day from smoking related deaths, 1000 die a day from being in the hospital, 500 die a day from poor diets, and yet the media chooses to point its finger at measles. Why?

In this podcast we talk about how extremism drives not only media coverage but policy decisions as well. We also discuss how absolutism, shaming, and extremism voiced by public health advocates only creases more mistrust in the system, especially knowing that the vaccine industry is extremely profitable. As always, we advocate for the middle road, one that advocates vaccine education and advocacy when vaccines are reasonable, but which allows choice and common sense shared decision making. But, isn't that the road all of heath care should take? We think so!

"The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism." -William Osler, MD

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