The way that the current administration has handled health-related issues and human aid shows its skepticism and disregard for the well-being of people in the U.S. Recently, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. decided to vote on the MMRV vaccine, choosing a very select panel, while downplaying any scientific evidence other than showing it in a negative light. 

On Sept. 18, a panel that was cherry-picked by Kennedy voted on the MMRV vaccine, after he fired everyone on the Centers for Disease Control advisory panel for immunizations and hired a group of vaccine deniers just like himself, bringing in another bias in our politics. 

Among this panel were Martin Kulldorff and Vicky Pebsworth, noteworthy figures in the vaccine debate. There was an 8-3 vote on the separation of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and then another to change the guidance to give the varicella vaccine separately for children 12 to 15 months old.

Separating the MMRV vaccine was already an option in some circumstances, and now that choice has been stripped away from not only the child, but the parents as well.

As we know, children do not enjoy getting vaccinations, and separating the MMRV vaccine may sway parents from wanting their child to get it. With the debates already high about vaccines in our administration, I do not doubt the vaccination rates will decline. 

As the skeptics continue to argue about the MMRV vaccine, they mention side effects like seizures, fever, sleepiness and fussiness, which are extremely common among small children getting a vaccination. They also bring up the hepatitis B vaccine, a vaccine that has saved a multitude of children from dying before or at birth. 

Medical professionals gave their opinions as well.

Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases, said, “I think the primary goal of this meeting has already happened, and that was to sow distrust and instill fear among parents and families.” 

Other medical professionals commented on the obvious — the related seizure and fever symptoms are already common in children, and that constant questioning is undermining a system of health that was at first created to benefit us, not debate on human life. 

States are now forming their own vaccine guidelines against the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), going against their newest vote and to show which side they are on. California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, which are all Democratic-led states, are creating their own vaccine schedules after the panel declared that people will now have to pay the full price if they do want to get the combined MMRV vaccine. This inconveniences the normal American people for a power trip and publicity. 

We will see what happens with the hepatitis B vaccine and our public health system now that most of us have little trust in the systems in our country. Letting the administration dictate vaccine policy and science is playing with our lives. 

Share