Vaccines and vaccine hesitancy: Lessons for science writers
- Time:
- Sunday, October 11th, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Location:
- MIT Kresge Auditorium
- Speaker(s):
- Ari BrownPediatrician; founder and chief executive officer, 411 Pediatrics, Austin, Texas
- Seth MnookinCo-director, MIT graduate program in science writing
- Daniel SalmonAssociate professor and deputy director, Institute for Vaccine Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
- Moderator(s):
- Tara HaelleFreelance science journalist
Increasing measles and pertussis outbreaks, as well as state vaccine-related legislation, have put the spotlight on vaccines, vaccination rates, anti-vaccination sentiment and vaccine refusal, yet the quality and accuracy of coverage has been spotty at best, sometimes irresponsible and reckless. This panel will elucidate some poorly understood facts about vaccines, disease resurgence, and vaccine hesitancy. Participants will critique reporting on real and perceived risks of vaccines and vaccine injury claims and assess what lessons science writers can draw from the controversy. The panel will also discuss challenges in framing coverage about vaccines and persistent pitfalls in that coverage. Social media hashtag:#VaccineNuance
.