<div> <p>Peter Hotez is an internationally recognized physician-scientist in neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development. In this episode, they first follow up on <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/BrianDeer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the podcast episode (#158) with Brian Deer</a> (the investigative journalist who exposed the complex and disturbing story behind the infamous 1998 Lancet paper by Andrew Wakefield linking the MMR vaccine and autism) with a broader discussion about the origin and evolution of the anti-vaccine movement. They explore some of the specific claims being made around vaccine additives, the timing of when vaccines are given, and claims about issues with the HPV vaccine specifically. Next, Dr. Hotez shares his own journey as a parent of an autistic child and speaks of the challenges of diagnosing autism, what could account for the seeming increase in the prevalence, and whether there is any support for the notion that environmental triggers play a role. They close out with a discussion on the state of affairs with respect to COVID-19 vaccination, comparing the various vaccines as well as the challenges that emerging variants of the virus may present. This episode was originally recorded on April 2, 2021.</p> </div> <div> <div> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p>We discuss:</p> <ul type="disc"> <li>The stubborn persistence of anti-vaccine sentiment (3:00);</li> <li>A closer look at claims about thimerosal and vaccine spacing causing autism (12:00);</li> <li>The Hib vaccine: An example of the profound difference a vaccine can make (23:30);</li> <li>The controversy surrounding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (30:45);</li> <li>The growing anti-science sentiment, COVID vaccine hesitance, and the basis of the anti-vaxx movement (39:00);</li> <li>The origins of autism, and Hotez's personal story as a parent of an autistic child (1:02:45);</li> <li>The challenge of diagnosing autism, increasing prevalence, and a potential parallel to Alzheimer's disease (1:14:15);</li> <li>Comparing the various COVID-19 vaccines and the impact of emerging variants of the virus (1:30:00);</li> <li>Global vaccination challenges and "vaccine diplomacy" (1:40:45); and</li> <li>More.</li> </ul> <p>Learn more: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/">https://peterattiamd.com/</a><br /> <br /> Show notes page for this episode: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/PeterHotez3">https://peterattiamd.com/PeterHotez3</a> <br /> <br /> Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/">https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/</a><br /> <br /> Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/">https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/</a><br /> <br /> Connect with Peter on <a href="http://Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Faceboo</u></a><u>k</u> | <a href="http://Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Twitter</u></a> | <a href="http://Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Instagram</u></a>.</p> </div> </div>
Actionable Insights
1. Prioritize Global COVID-19 Vaccination
To prevent continued viral circulation, humanitarian destruction, and the evolution of new variants, prioritize vaccinating the entire world, not just affluent regions.
If you are in a position to counter misinformation that could lead to significant loss of life, speak up, even if it is uncomfortable or goes against conventional expectations.
3. Communicate Science Broadly
To effectively counter misinformation and save lives, communicate scientific information across diverse media platforms and to various audiences, including those with differing political views or specific demographic groups.
4. Expect COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
Be prepared for future booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, as these may be needed to elevate antibody titers, increase durability of protection, and target emerging variants.
5. Get Current COVID-19 Vaccines
Get vaccinated with the currently available COVID-19 vaccines, as they are effective against prevalent variants like B.1.1.7 (UK variant).
6. Trust Vaccine Approval Process
Understand that vaccine schedules and approvals involve extensive review by multiple expert bodies (FDA, CDC, ACIP) to ensure necessity, cost-effectiveness, and benefit to child health and society.
7. Invest in Local Vaccine Development
To ensure global vaccine equity and rapid response to future pandemics, support investment in building local vaccine development and production capacity in regions like Africa and Latin America.
8. Support Global Vaccine Authorization
Advocate for the authorization of vaccines like AstraZeneca, even if not used domestically, as U.S. decisions can significantly impact vaccine availability and acceptance in low and middle-income countries.
Be cautious of anti-vaccine claims regarding the HPV vaccine, as there is no scientific evidence to support assertions of infertility, miscarriages, or autoimmunity.
Be aware that platforms like Amazon promote anti-vaccine and anti-science conspiracy books, meaning much of the daily information encountered may be misleading.
11. Engage in Honest Vaccine Discussions
For parents inundated with information, seek out and engage in honest discussions about vaccines to distinguish between reliable information and noise.
12. Review MMR-Autism Debunking
If you still have questions about the MMR vaccine and autism, review Brian Deer’s work (video, podcast, book) which thoroughly debunks the claims.
13. Utilize Whole Exome Sequencing for Autism
For children with suspected autism, consider whole exome sequencing as it can identify specific gene mutations, potentially leading to targeted pharmacological interventions.
14. Focus on Prenatal Environmental Factors
If environmental influences play a role in autism, they are most likely occurring during pregnancy, suggesting a focus on prenatal factors for understanding its origins.
15. Consider Child Psychiatry Career
Medical students should consider specializing in child psychiatry, as there is a significant and growing need for professionals in this field.
16. Deepen Longevity Knowledge
To take your knowledge of health and wellness to the next level, consider subscribing to the membership program for in-depth content.
17. Watch Podcast on Video
If available, watch the podcast on YouTube to see helpful graphics, such as those explaining coronavirus mutations.
18. Explore Fungal Vaccines for Neurodegeneration
Research is exploring whether fungal vaccines could help reduce neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting a potential future avenue for prevention.